IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON AROMATIC POLYMERS .2. GAS EVOLUTION DURING ELECTRON-BEAM IRRADIATION

The gas evolution caused by electron-beam (e.b.) irradiation of aromatic polymers, such as polyimides (Kapton, Upilex-R and Upilex-S), poly (aryl ether ether ketone)(PEEK), poly(aryl ether sulphone)(PES), bisphenol A type Udel poly(aryl sulphone) (U-PS) and poly(aryl ester) (U-Polymer), has been quantitatively analysed. The radiation resistance in terms of gas evolution was in the following order: Upilex-R congruent-to Upilex-S > Kapton > PEEK > PES much greater than U-PS > U-Polymer. The component gases evolved from these aromatic polymers by e.b. irradiation were the same and possessed similar behaviour to those produced by gamma irradiation. But differences were found in the G values of some component gases evolved under e.b. irradiation compared with gamma irradiation due to the temperature rise caused by the high dose rate of e.b. irradiation. The effect of molecular structure and chemical unit linkages in the aromatic polymers on gas evolution was investigated. It was found that the biphenyl imide, tetracarboxylic acid anhydride imide, and aryl ether ketone unit linkages exhibited a protective effect against both e.b. and gamma irradiation. But aryl sulphone, isopropylidene aryl sulphone and aryl ester structures are sensitive to radiation. The polyimides and PEEK showed high radiation resistance, which can be of practical importance.