Plastics resistant to ionizing radiation - Thermoplastic polymers, elastomers and additives

Ionizing radiation is composed of the typical frequencies of X-rays or gamma rays, which have enough energy to cause the ionization of the substance through which they pass. Ionization occurs when the bound electrons are removed from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to charge electrically. Gamma and X-ray radiation are frequently found in medical diagnostics, radiation therapy, in the sterilization of disposable items and also in the testing of materials and in test instrumentation. A certain understanding of the effect of radiation on polymers is useful in the field of medical diagnosis, radiotherapy techniques, sterilization of articles and analysis tools, as well as in environments subject to radioactivity or other radiation. The high-energy radiations present in these applications often lead to a decrease in elongation properties and increase in the polymer's brittleness.

Many application parameters, such as geometry, radiation exposure mode, mechanical stress, temperature and the type of substances with which the material comes into contact and others affect the final result. Therefore the information on the resistance of plastic materials should be considered only for indicative purposes,