Radiation degradation of poly(2‐methylpentene‐1 sulfone)

Poly(2‐methylpentene‐1 sulfone) underwent random chain scission upon exposure to 1 MeV electron irradiation followed by extensive depropagation from the broken ends of the chain. Above 100°C, both sulfone and aliphatic peaks in the infrared spectrum disappeared at equal rates. An investigation of the kinetics suggested that the chains completely unzip. Below 100°C the initial rate of loss of SO2 was faster than loss of the aliphatic moiety.