GAMMA-RADIATION EFFECTS ON AN AMINE ANTIOXIDANT ADDED IN AN ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE COPOLYMER

The aim of this work was to compare the gamma radiation induced effect s on samples of an ethylene-propylene copolymer antioxidant free with samples loaded with an antioxidant characterised by the presence of an -NH functional group. The employed techniques were Electron Spin Reso nance spectroscopy (ESR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (H PLC). Stable radicals R-NO degrees due to the interaction of free radi cals produced in the irradiated polymer with the antioxidant have been observed by ESR at room temperature. The time evolution of the ESR si gnals following the irradiation was examined at different doses. The a mount of antioxidant not involved in the oxidation reactions has been determined using HPLC.