Diffusion-controlled radiochemical oxidation of bisphenol A polysulfone

Abstract

The radiochemical degradation of bisphenol A polysulfone was investigated under a γ-ray dose rate of 24 kGy h-1 up to 30.7 MGy total absorbed dose at 60 °C using gel permeation chromatography, sol-gel analysis, glass transition and rheometry measurements, and oxidation profile measurements by microscopy coupled with Fourier transform infrared analysis in attenuated total reflectance mode. Thin (200 μm) and thick (2 mm) samples were compared. Thin samples undergo mainly chain scissions whereas thick ones undergo mainly crosslinking. The thickness of oxidized layers and, radiochemical yields for chain scissions, crosslinking, oxygen absorption and radical formation were tentatively determined from experimental data in order to determine the influence of oxidative processes on radiochemical ageing and to establish the nature of the crosslinking reactions.