Balvir Singh

Effect of gamma irradiation on the etching properties of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastics

It is observed that for Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastic detectors the mean diameters of fission fragments from a 252Cf source increases as a result of gamma-ray exposure. We have studied the bulk etching rate and track etching rate before and after gamma-ray irradiation on Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastics. The mechanism of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastic detectors can be understood with the help of this exposures. It is also noted that degree of ordering of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate is dependent on the gamma ray dose due to degradation and cross-linking processes. The results show that bulk and track etch rate increases with gamma dose while activation energy associated with bulk and track etch rates at a particular temperature and sensitivity decreases with gamma dose.