TENSILE PROPERTIES OF ELECTRON-IRRADIATED TRACK MEMBRANES

Tensile properties of commercially available poly(ethylene terephthala te) (PETP) film and track membranes have been investigated. The influe nce of electron irradiation on tensile strength and ultimate elongatio n at break has been studied by measurements using a tensometer and by burst tests. Changes in the structures of track membranes have been ob served using an SEM, both on the surface and in the bulk. The structur al changes were induced by a high irradiation dose. The strength of po lycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) track membranes are compared a nd some conclusions are drawn concerning possible radiation sterilizat ion of the membranes.