??? poly and rads

[Bruce Busby <bbusby@umich.edu>]

Hi all,

Here is another question I was hoping someone might have an answer 
for...

Please respond to the person listed below or myself, not back to 
radsafe.



From: segmkt@caverns.com

I am looking for information on radiation effects on 
polyethylene.  There are several general statements in literature, 
which indicate that polyethylene begins to be degraded by 
radiation absorption at about 2 x 10+7 Rads, and that significant 
degradation occurs by 7 x 10+7 Rads.  I am looking for specific 
material property degradation in polyethylene (e.g. modulus of 
elasticity is degraded by x% for total exposure of X rads).  Is 
this a linear progression?  I was able to locate a lot of 
information regarding the biological effects of radiation, but 
found very little information regarding the exposure of materials 
to radiation.

Any assistance you can lend me in my search will be greatly appreciated.


Sincerely,


Peter Keegan
segmkt@caverns.com   (work email)
pkeegan@caverns.com  (home email)