Investigation of the effect of gamma rays on the properties of polyamide fibres, I. The changes of some mechanical and chemical properties

Measurements of mechanical resistance and of some chemical changes were performed for a γ‐irradiated PA 6 polyamide fibre in the form of surgical threads. A relatively high radiation durability was established for irradiation doses of the order of 10 4 Gy. The sterilizing dose was assumed to be 3 ·10 4 Gy. It was argued that in this dose range a deterioration of the mechanical properties of about 5% should be expected.