Polydimethylsiloxane rubber gamma radiation effect studies by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Polydimethylsiloxane rubber was irradiated at various radiation doses up to 800 kGy in air. The lifetime and intensity of the long component τ3 were obtained by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The crystallization property and the molecular flexibility were estimated using the differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic thermomechanic analysis. Thermal volatile property was determined by thermogravimetry analysis. It was proved that the cross-linking reaction made the chain flexibility of the rubber to reduce gradually during gamma radiation, which resulted in the reduction of the o-Ps intensity observed by PALS. Although the degradation effect existed during gamma radiation, it was still less significant than the cross-linking effect when the radiation dose was up to 800 kGy.