Characterisation of radiation behaviour of polyethylene/polymethacrylates interpenetrating polymer networks

Although polymethacrylates generally degrade under ionising irradiation, di fferences in degradation behaviour exist amongst various polymethacrylates. The radiation behaviour of different methacrylate polymers was investigate d on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based on polyethylene and meth acrylate copolymers, synthesised via an in situ method. Changes in chemical structure such as hydroxyl groups, unsaturated C=C bonds, crosslinking, ma in chain scission and in composition caused by irradiation have been charac terised by FTIR. Linking between the two IPN components caused by irradiati on has been observed by TGA and pyrolysis-GC-MS. Mechanical properties in d ependence on radiation doses have been characterised by tensile test and dy namic-mechanical analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.