CHARACTERIZATION OF γ-IRRADIATED CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS I. CHARACTERIZATION OF γ-RADIATION INDUCED CROSSLINKED POLYAMIDE 1010 BY CRYSTALLIZATION TEMPERATURE*

The effect of50Co γ-radiation on plain polyamide 1010 (PA1010 Ⅰ) and PA1010 containing dif-ferent amount of crosslinking agent (BMI) (PA1010 Ⅱ) both in vacuum and in air at room tempera-ture was investigated with DSC. It was found that the crystallization temperature Tc of crosslinked sample determined with DSC at constant cooling rate decreased as the radiation dose increased. Thedifference between crystallization temperatures before and after crosslinking (Tco)-TcR) is linearly related to the radiation dose for PA10101.Based on the Charlesby-Pinner's equation an expression was derived S+S1/2=A+B(Tco)-TcR) where S is the sol fraction,A and B are constants.Since there is evidence that Tc is relative to S only and independent of the way of irradiation,the equation is also applicable to the enhanced γ-irradiation crosslinked PA1010 II.Therefore,determination of Tc of crosslinked polymer by DSC offers a convenient approach to study quantitatively the random and especially non-random crosslinking reaction of crystalline polymer.