GAMMA-RAY IRRADIATION OF POLYSTYRENE IN THE PRESENCE OF CROSS-LINKING AGENTS

The radiation induced crosslinking of polystyrene is difficult because of its aromatic units, and the polymer degrades when irradiated in air. Therefore, the effects of gamma-ray irradiation on polystyrene in the presence of polyfunctional monomers such as trimethyl propanetrimethacrylate (TMPTM), dimethyleneglycol bis-allylcarbonate (DEGBAC) and propyleneglycol bis-allylcarbonate(PGBAC). These monomers readily polymerize by the radiation with small dose. In the case of DGBAC and DPGBAC (allyl monomers) the dose required for crosslinking of polystyrene was higher than that with TMPTM (vinyl monomer). The relationship between doses and % of gel formed as well as radiochemical yields for gelation and degradation for those poly functional monomers will be presented.