Effects of combined neutron and gamma irradiation upon silicone foam

The total dose effect of combined fast-neutron beam and 60Co γ-ray radiation on silicone foam in air and nitrogen were investigated, respectively. The results show that foam hardening occurs and crystallization of polymer matrix decreases with increasing dose. Gas chromatograph was used to identify the kinetics of volatile products generating, which generally increase with increasing total dose. The study indicates that combined neutron and gamma irradiation would influence silicone foam property obviously during the investigated dose range.