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Influence of γ‐irradiation on poly(methyl methacrylate)
Author(s) -
Suarez João Carlos Miguez,
Mano Eloisa Biasotto,
Da Costa Monteiro Elisabeth Ermel,
Tavares Maria Inês Bruno
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.10706
Subject(s) - differential scanning calorimetry , materials science , irradiation , poly(methyl methacrylate) , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , methyl methacrylate , scanning electron microscope , composite material , methacrylate , brittleness , polymer chemistry , thermogravimetric analysis , chemical engineering , polymer , copolymer , physics , nuclear physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was γ‐irradiated (5–20 kGy) by a 137 Cs source at room temperature in air. The changes in the molecular structure attributed to γ‐irradiation were studied by mechanical testing (flexure and hardness), size‐exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and both Fourier transform infrared and solution 13 C‐NMR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the influence of the dose of γ rays on the fracture behavior of PMMA. The experimental results confirm that the PMMA degradation process involves chain scission. It was also observed that PMMA presents a brittle fracture mechanism and modifications in the color, becoming yellowish. The mechanical property curves show a similar pattern when the γ‐radiation dose increases. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 886–895, 2002