Thermal, structural and mechanical properties of neutron irradiated Bayfol nuclear track detector

Samples from sheets of the polymeric material Bayfol have been exposed to neutrons of incident energy in the range 0.8-19.2 MeV. The resultant effect of neutron irradiation on the thermal properties of Bayfol has been investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis. The onset temperature of decomposition and activation energy of thermal decomposition were calculated. The variation of transition temperatures with neutron energy has been determined using differential thermal analysis. The results indicate Bayfol thermograms characterized by the appearance of an endothermic peak due to melting. Melting temperature was found to be dependent on the neutron energy. Structural property studies using infrared spectroscopy were performed and results indicated that scission takes place at the carbonate site with the formation of a hydroxyl group. Mechanical properties were studied and it is shown that, at the fluence range 0-4.4 MeV, the standard chains and a great number of chain ends weaken and the material may become softer.