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Re: Degradation of plastic from radiation levels



In a former life, I worked 13 years in Nuclear Effects engineering for a defense firm and vulnerability of plastics to various levels of radiation was a major effort, including degradation as well as enhancement of thermal and physical stability due to ionizing radiation.  The Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects branch of the IEEE has a substantial library of papers on this topic.  You will probably be able to do a minimal web search to find the specific info you seek.  I believe Sandia (Phillips lab, etc.) has done some research on plastics and radiation.    The effects depend on the type of plastic. 

Examples of info:  A few megarads crosslinks molecules of polyethlyene, making it stronger.  The same few megarads turn teflon into powder.

*****************************
John C. White
Assistant Director
  Radiation Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
*************************************

The above communication represents views of the author only. No representation of The University of Texas is intended or implied.

*************************************

>From: "Guinn, Charles D"

>Reply-To: "Guinn, Charles D"
>To: "RADSAFE ListServe (E-mail)"
>Subject: Degradation of plastic from radiation levels
>Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 12:06:29 -0700
>
>Radsafers,
>Is there anyone out there who might know an approximate radiation level that
>would cause the degradation of plastic (i.e., plastic bags)?
>
>Charlie
>
>Charles D. Guinn, CHP, RRPT
>Sandia National Laboratories
>PO Box 5800 MS0651
>Albuquerque, NM 87185-0651
>(505) 284-4027 FAX: (505) 844-8313
>
>


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