RADIATION-INDUCED GRAFTING OF BENZYL ALCOHOL ON TO LIQUID-NITROGEN PROCESSED NYLON (6)

Grafting of benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH) on to liquid nitrogen processed nylon (6) samples, pre-irradiated with Cf-252 neutrons, 1 MeV electrons and Co-60 gamma-rays has been studied. An improved efficiency in the degree of grafting in liquid nitrogen processed samples as compared to the non-processed ones was observed. For the same radiation fluence, the relative increase in the sample weight (%) was found to be maximum with Co-60 gamma-rays, moderate with 1 MeV electrons and minimum with Cf-252 neutrons. These results are discussed on the basis of creation of active sites for initiating grafting in nylon (6) through irradiation and processing in liquid nitrogen.