Kinetics of back reaction between radiolytic products initiated by radiation-induced voids in NaC1

A time-dependent model is formulated for the chemical reaction between sodi um colloids and gas bubbles, which are brought into contact with each other by the growing voids. It is shown that in this exothermic reaction, heat i s released much faster than it is dissipated by conduction to the surroundi ng salt. This results in a large and sudden temperature and pressure increa se in the void, which is analysed in detail. The effect on the mechanical s tability of NaCl under irradiation is discussed.