| Abstract: | Post-irradiation degradation of isotactic polypropylene irradiated by Co60-γ-ray has been followed for 12 months. Effects of irradiation doses (10–100 kGy) up on the change of the structure and mechanical properties as well as flowability of this polymer has been studied. Carbonyl index increases with increasing post-irradiation time. The rate of which was much higher for doses above 50 kGy. Tensile strength declines with time and those samples irradiated above 50 kGy become quite brittle, just after irradiation. Results reveal that post-irradiation degradation of polypropylene irradiated by γ-ray occurs via chain scission mechanism. |
