Studies of Radiation Effects on Fluoropolymars: Radiation-Induced Structural and Crystallinity Changes of Tefzel

Radiation-induced structural changes in the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene (Tefzel) were studied by FT-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction. FT-IR data indicate a continuous increase in the number of free and bonded hydroperoxides and alcohols. The oxidized films were treated with SO2 and NH3 for the rapid identification and resolution of various carbonyl species and hydroperoxides. A continuous but marginal decrease in melting and crystallization tempreature was observed in DSC thermograms. At room temperature, in the dose range examined, the crystallinity was observed to increase continuously with increasing dose and began to decrease after a certain dose for samples irradiated at 0.36 Mrad/h.