Radiation crosslinking of bisphenol-a polycarbonate in the presence of bisphenol-a dimethacrylate and triallyl cyanurate

Radiation crosslinking of bisphenol-a polycarbonate (PC) was carried out by the gamma-irradiation of the polymeric films containing 5 and 2 wt % of bi sphenol-a dimethacrylate (BPDMA) or triallyl cyanurate, respectively, as we ll as by the BPDMA grafting from acetone solution onto PC preirradiated in air. The modified samples were analyzed for the sol/gel content, and the de pendences of gel fraction yield of crosslinked polymer on monomers concentr ation and absorbed dose were found. The radiation-chemical yields of crossl inking and degradation as well as gelation doses were determined for the mo dified PC. Molecular weights of the starting and irradiated pure PC were de temined by the GPC method, and radiation-chemical yield of PC degradation w as calculated. It has been found essential difference in efficiency of PC c rosslinking depending on monomers and doses used as well as on methods of m odification. Effects of crosslinking agents distribution in the PC matrix a nd simultaneous processes of crosslinking and degradation in the polymer-mo nomer compositions on efficiency of PC crosslinking have been discussed.