Effect of electron beam irradiation on poly(vinylidene fluoride) films at the melting temperature

Abstract

The radiation-induced changes taking place in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films exposed to electron beam irradiation were investigated in correlation with the applied doses. Films were irradiated in air at the melting temperature (174 degrees C) using a universal electron beam accelerator at doses in the range 50 similar to 200 kGy. Various properties of the melt-irradiated PVDF films were studied using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and scattering, and universal mechanical testing. The unirradiated PVDF film was used as a reference. Electron beam irradiation at the melting temperature induced changes in the physical, chemical, thermal, structural, and mechanical properties of the PVDF films; such changes varied depending on the irradiation dose.