Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Other Fluoroplastics

Cross-linking of ETFE improves its high-temperature properties, such as cut-through by a hot soldering iron, and increases the continuous service temperature from 150°C (302°F) to 200°C (392°F) [36]. Further improvement is achieved by the use of prorads (radiation promoters) such as triallyl cyanurate (TAC) or triallyl iso-cyanurate (TAIC) in amounts up to 10% by weight [25]. 

ECTFE behaves upon irradiation like ETFE, including improvement of cross-linking efficiency wifh fhe addition of prorads. Irradiation at room temperature followed by heat treatment at and above 435 K in nitrogen for 20 min is reported to be most effective [25], 

Very little work has been reported on the effects of irradiation of PCTFE. One source claims that the resistance of PCTFE to ionizing radiation is superior to that of other fluoropolymers [42], Another work reports that poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) degrades when exposed to ionizing radiation in a similar fashion as PTFE at ambient 

Amorphous perfluoroplastics developed by DuPont (Teflon AF) and Asahi Glass (Cytop) contain bulky structures that are responsible for the absence of crystallinity. When Teflon AF was irradiated by low-energy x-rays, it was found that the inclusion of the dioxole monomer not only improves the optical properties but also increases the radiation tolerance of the homopolymer [43]. 

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