Stability of polymers under ionising radiation: The many faces of radiation interactions with polymers

Ionising radiations have dramatic effects on the properties of polymers commonly used in hard radiation environments. From the early radiolysis studies, polymers have been classified into those undergoing mainly chain scissions and those being cross-linked. Real situations are however far more complex due to the semi-crystalline organisation of most polymers implying transition temperatures (glass transition, fusion temperature of the crystalline fraction), oxygen diffusion driven formation of oxidised species and effects of the polymer formulation (anti-oxidants, influence of the fillers). Progress has been made in the understanding of such phenomena and different examples have been considered illustrating the different faces of the polymer evolution under ionising radiation. Particular emphasis has been given to the changes of the final polymer properties in their conditions of use. Two examples of materials of widespread importance in nuclear technology: elastomers and epoxy resins, will be discussed. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.