Gamma irradiation of poly(alkyl methacrylates)

A series of poly(alkyl methacrylates) were prepared from monomer of high purity and subjected to gamma irradiation. Gelation in the n ‐alkyl series was detected for poly ( n ‐heptyl methacrylate) at 15 Mreps; gel was detected at lower doses as the length of the alkyl group increased. No gelation was found on irradiation of poly ( sec ‐alkyl methacrylates) to relatively high doses; poly( sec ‐nonyl methacrylate) remained soluble after 40 Mreps of irradiation. Correlation with earlier work on irradiation of poly(alkyl acrylates) is discussed.