Effect of 1.33 MeV γ radiation and 0.5 MeV electrons on the mechanical properties of graphite fiber composites

Epoxy/graphite fiber, polyimide/graphite fiber, and polysulfone/graphite fiber composites were exposed to 1.33 MeV γ irradiation and 0.5 MeV electron bombardment for varying periods of time. The effects of the irradiation treatments on the breaking stress and Young's modulus were studied by a three point bending test. Effects were small; indeed, both electron radiation up to 5000 Mrad and γ radiation up to 350 Mrad resulted in slight increases in both stress and modulus.