Estimation of gamma radiation effects on the polypropylene (PP) films at various doses

Abstract

Medical polypropylene (PP) is exposed to ionizing radiation during the sterilization process before its use for medical purposes. Herein, the raw and manufactured PP were prepared as polymeric films with the same specifications. Then, raw and manufactured PP were irradiated by different doses of gamma rays in the air to discover the gamma radiation effects on the prepared films. The gamma doses were 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 kGy. The irradiated raw and manufactured PP were characterized by different analytical techniques such as Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometer (ESR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and mechanical properties. The FTIR study indicated the presence of a new band at a low gamma dose for both cases. The crystallinity percentages of both raw and manufactured PP gradually reduced when the gamma doses increased. The thermal stability of films decreased by increasing the gamma doses. Raising the gamma dosages resulted in a decrease in the mechanical characteristics of raw PP and manufactured PP such as elongation @ break, elastic modulus, and tensile strength.