Effects of Nuclear Radiation on the Mechanical, Optical and Electrical Properties of Merlon Polycarbonate

摘要

Merlon polycarbonate was exposed in a nuclear reactor at room temperature in air to five levels of absorbed dose. The material showed an excellent postirradiation retention of various mechanical properties. No significant changes in ultimate tensile strength and Shore-D hardness were observed up to an absorbed dose of 1.53 x 10 to the 9th power ergs/gm(C). The yield stress, however, was found to decrease steadily with dose. At about 1 x 10 to the 10th power ergs/gm(C), no yielding was observed any longer and the mode of fracture had changed from ductile to brittle behavior. The G-value for radiation-induced scission was calculated on the basis of the heat of necking to be 0.18 scissions/100 ev. All irradiated samples assumed a brownish discoloration the intensity of which progressively increased with dose. No significant changes in the dc volume and surface resistivity were noted. (Author)