Electron spin resonance study of radiation degradation of polytetrafluoroethylene

Electron spin resonance measurements were performed at different stages of radiation degradation of polytetrafluoroethylene. It was found that under radiation, peroxy radicals were transformed into chain‐end fluorocarbon radicals, which in turn became into chain‐side radicals. On the basis of these data, a scheme for the degradation mechanism is given.