DOE-HDBK-1017/2-93RADIATION EFFECTS IN ORGANIC COMPOUNDSPlant MaterialsTABLE 3 Radiolytic Decomposition of Polyphenyls at 350CMaterial G(gas)G(polymer)Diphenyl0.1591.13Ortho-terphenyl0.1080.70Meta-terphenyl0.0810.64Para-terphenyl0.0730.54Santowax-R*0.0800.59* A mixture of the three terphenyls plus a small amount of diphenyl.An effect similar to that described above occurs in water molecules that are decomposed byradiation into hydrogen and oxygen in a reactor. Control of oxygen produced by this process isan important part of reactor chemistry.SummaryThe important information in this chapter is summarized below.Radiation Effects in Organic Compounds SummaryGamma and beta radiation have little effect on metals, but break the chemical bonds andprevent bond recombination of organic compounds and cause permanent damage.Radiation causes changes in organic materials.Nylon has a degradation of its toughness at relatively low doses and little loss ofstrength.High-density (linear) polyethylene marlex 50 loses both strength and ductility atrelatively low doses.Typically rubber increases in hardness when irradiated. Butyl or Thiokol rubber softenor become liquid with high radiation doses.The chemical bond with the least amount of resistance to radiation is the covalent bond.Polymerization is the recombining of broken hydrocarbon chains into longer ones.MS-05Page 48Rev. 0
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