TY - CONF A1 - von der Ehe, Kerstin A1 - Kömmling, Anja A1 - Wolff, Dietmar T1 - Neutron radiation shielding material polyethylene: consequences of gamma irradiation T2 - WM2015 Conference (Proceedings) N2 - High and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes are high performance materials, which are predestined for a wide range of applications due to characteristics like high density, low weight, good dimensional stability, high chemical resistance, and high hydrogen content. These polymers are used in two demanding areas: as implant material in medical technology (only ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes) and as a component for neutron shielding purposes in casks for storage and transport of radioactive waste. In the medical field (joint replacements) as well as during neutron radiation shielding application, high and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes are exposed to gamma irradiation: in the first case requested as sterilization process and for surface-crosslinking and in the second case existing as a side effect of inserting the radioactive material in the cask. Given that polyethylene as shielding material has to withstand any type of degradation affecting safety relevant aspects to be applicable for long-term radiation shielding purposes for instance over a period of 40 years, the durability of the material is of special interest. High molecular weight polyethylene (HMW-PE; LUPOLEN 5261Z; Lyondell Basell) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE; GUR 4120; Ticona) were subjected to gamma radiation and afterwards thermally treated. The gamma doses used are in the range of 50 to 600 kGy and irradiation takes place at RT using a Co-60 source. The planned thermal treatment will take place at a temperature of 125 °C for periods of minimum 30 days and maximum of five years. With the applied conventional analytical techniques it is possible to detect structural changes of both types of polyethylene induced by gamma irradiation and certainly of thermal treatment. Through gamma irradiation melting temperature, crystallinity, and density, respectively increased. Furthermore both polyethylenes get oxidized and cross-linked. With regard to the special application as neutron radiation shielding material in casks for storage and transport of radioactive materials, the impact of irradiation lead to changes of material properties. A consolidated view indicates that the detected changes of the irradiated (U)HMW-PE are not safety relevant for long-term neutron radiation shielding purposes over a period of 40 years in Germany. T2 - WM2015 Conference CY - Phoenix, Arizona, USA DA - 15.03.2015 KW - Gamma radiation KW - Polyehtylene KW - HMW KW - DSC KW - IR KW - Crosslinking PY - 2015 SN - 978-0-9828171-4-8 SP - 15062, 1 EP - 10 AN - OPUS4-33254 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Beckmann, Jörg A1 - Schade, U. A1 - von der Ehe, Kerstin A1 - Jaunich, Matthias A1 - Wolff, Dietmar A1 - Aziz, E. F. T1 - THz and Mid IR Fourier transform spectroscopy on polyethylene irradiated with Gamma- Co60 radiation T2 - IRMMW-THz 2014 - 39th International conference on infrared, millimeter, and terahertz waves N2 - THz and mid IR spectroscopy of high molecular PE (HMW) and ultra high molecular PE (UHMW) reveals modifications of the molecular structure induced by γ-Co60 radiation. UHMW-PE and HMW-PE can be distinguished. The integral absorption in the B1u THz-region can quantitatively describe the amorphization of crystallinity. The formation of trans vinylene unsaturations and the decay of vinyl can be followed by mid IR spectroscopy T2 - IRMMW-THz 2014 - 39th International conference on infrared, millimeter, and terahertz waves CY - Tucson, Arizona, USA DA - 14.09.2014 KW - Thz and Mid IR Fourier transform spectroscopy KW - Polyethylene KW - Gamma-Co-60 radiation KW - Fourier transform spectroscopy KW - Infrared spectroscopy KW - Light absorption KW - Molecular electronic states KW - Polymers KW - MidIR Fourier transform spectroscopy KW - Terahertz spectroscopy KW - THz spectroscopy KW - γ-Co60radiation KW - HMW KW - High molecular PE KW - Ultrahigh molecular PE KW - Molecular structure modifications KW - UHMW-PE KW - HMW-PE KW - Integral absorption KW - B1uTHz-region KW - Crystallinity amorphization KW - Transvinylene unsaturation formation KW - Vinyl decay KW - Absorption KW - Radiation effects KW - Temperature measurement KW - Spectroscopy PY - 2014 UR - http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6956355&isnumber=6955975 SN - 978-1-4799-3877-3 DO - https://doi.org/10.1109/IRMMW-THz.2014.6956355 IS - IEEE Catalog No.: CFP14IMM-ART SP - 1 EP - 2 AN - OPUS4-32699 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -