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ORNL-2106 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

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U could be evacuated was used for this operation<br />

and for transferring <strong>the</strong> specimens to a gas-tight<br />

infrared absorption cell for spectral measurement,<br />

The absorption cell was <strong>the</strong>n opened in air, and<br />

measurements of <strong>the</strong> spectrum were repeated after<br />

various periods of exposure to <strong>the</strong> atmosphere.<br />

As an example of <strong>the</strong> spectral changes observed<br />

in polymers, <strong>the</strong> spectrum of a polystyrene sample<br />

is shown in Fig. 4.2.19. While polystyrene is more<br />

"<br />

Fig. 4.2.19. Infrared Spectra of Polystyrene.<br />

PERIOD ENDING JUNE 10, 1956<br />

resistant to change by radiation than most polymers<br />

are, <strong>the</strong> changes that may be seen in Fig. 4.2.19<br />

are typical of <strong>the</strong> alterations of <strong>the</strong> infrared spectra<br />

by irradiation. Dosages of <strong>the</strong> order of lo8 to 10"<br />

rads were required to produce significant changes<br />

in <strong>the</strong> infrared spectra of most polymers.<br />

A large postirradiation effect was observed in<br />

<strong>the</strong> spectra of polystyrene, GR-S, and natural<br />

rubber. Upon exposure to air following irradiation<br />

in vacuum, oxidation products continued to form<br />

for periods of up to 95 days. These reactions<br />

were indicated by <strong>the</strong> growth of strong hydroxyl<br />

and carbonyl bands. The oxidation products<br />

formed in postirradiation oxidation were different<br />

from those produced by irradiation in oxygen.<br />

Irradiation of polystyrene in vacuum to high<br />

doses produced a wholesale .disruption in which<br />

both <strong>the</strong> aromatic and aliphatic components were<br />

equally affected. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> aliphatic<br />

component of GR-S (a styrene-butadiene copolymer)<br />

showed a greater percentage change than did<br />

polybutadiene at equal dosages.<br />

All polymers showed significant changes in <strong>the</strong><br />

double-bond region? as a result of irradiation. In<br />

polyethylene, RR,C= CH, groups disappeared as<br />

trans RCH=CHR, groups formed. In GR-S and<br />

polybutadiene <strong>the</strong> number of terminal vinyl groups<br />

decreased and <strong>the</strong> unsaturation in <strong>the</strong> hydrocarbon<br />

chains of GR-S and of natural rubber was de-<br />

creased. Irradiation increased <strong>the</strong> number of tram<br />

RCH=CHR, groups in natural rubber, as it did in<br />

polyethylene. Conjugated and uncon jugated un-<br />

saturation was produced in polyvinyl chloride.<br />

251

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