Effects of 60Co-irradiation on tensile properties of polyimide based on 2,2-Bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane

Radiation effects on polyimide (PI) films were studied with different irradiation doses by Co-60. The PI film were synthesized from 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (Bis-AP-AF) with 3,3',4,4'-Benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the irradiation PI films were measured and compared in order to determine the effect of the irradiation doses on the tensile properties. The results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the irradiation PI film can be significantly improved by irradiation of Co-60 source. The optimum irradiation doses were 50 kGy. The maximum increment of tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the irradiation PI film is 37.8%, 45.0% and 95.2%, respectively.