BETA-IRRADIATED ETHYLENE-NORBORNENE COPOLYMERS:

I. HERMIDA; R. BENAVENTE; M. L. CERRADA; J. A. RESSIA; E. M. VALLÉS

San Sebastián, España

Congreso; Fourth International Conference on Polymer Modification, Degradation and Stabilization. MODEST 2006; 2006

  The ethylene-norbornene copolymers, EN, are one of the most promising new industrial thermoplastic polymeric materials because of their high glass transition temperature, excellent moisture barrier properties, chemical resistance and optical transparency. EN copolymers are, therefore, very attractive for optical and biomedical applications. To obtain germ-free devices and pieces, sterilization is required, irradiation being a rapid and reliable methodology. However, irradiation may induce modifications in the polymer structure. Depending on the applied dose, significant changes such as chain scission and crosslinking of the polymeric chains may occur.