Reduction of Radiation Effects in Polymers
Class
Article
Graduation Year
2021
College
College of Science
Department
Physics Department
Faculty Mentor
Dr. JR Dennison
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Samples of polyimide, polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) were exposed to 500 MGy of radiation from an 8MeV electron accelerator. These dosages were intended to mimic the radiation exposure of spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. This radiation can create atomic scale defect states within the molecular bonds in these polymers and change their basic mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Recent work has suggested that previously identified defect states are sensitive to atmospheric exposure (more specific oxygen and water) and these defect states will recover and eventually vanish with time. Failure to consider and characterize such recovery, can create inaccuracies in radiation damage studies, and has called into question previous work studying the effects of radiation on spacecraft materials. In order to better understand the relaxation of these defect states, optical-transmission spectra were taken at intervals after atmospheric exposure. They were then compared with each other to evaluate the effects of atmospheric exposure and time, on the polymers defect states.
Location
Room 155
Start Date
4-13-2017 10:30 AM
End Date
4-13-2017 11:45 AM
Reduction of Radiation Effects in Polymers
Room 155
Samples of polyimide, polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) were exposed to 500 MGy of radiation from an 8MeV electron accelerator. These dosages were intended to mimic the radiation exposure of spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. This radiation can create atomic scale defect states within the molecular bonds in these polymers and change their basic mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Recent work has suggested that previously identified defect states are sensitive to atmospheric exposure (more specific oxygen and water) and these defect states will recover and eventually vanish with time. Failure to consider and characterize such recovery, can create inaccuracies in radiation damage studies, and has called into question previous work studying the effects of radiation on spacecraft materials. In order to better understand the relaxation of these defect states, optical-transmission spectra were taken at intervals after atmospheric exposure. They were then compared with each other to evaluate the effects of atmospheric exposure and time, on the polymers defect states.