An experimental study comparing radiation-induced degradation of poly(methacrylates) from ultraviolet, gamma-ray (60Co), and electron-beam irradiation is presented. Analytical techniques used include mass spectroscopy, low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance, and infrared spectrometry. The poly(methacrylate) polymers investigated are poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA), and poly(methacrylic anhydride) (PMA AN). All are shown to exhibit scission of the main chains and removal of the side groups when irradiated.
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Hiroyuki Hiraoka (1977) studied this question.
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