Structural modifications of polymers under the impact of fast neutrons

The most significant result obtained in this preliminary work was evidence that neutron irradiation with very low doses in the range ≈130-320 cGy could provoke structural changes. Indeed, depending on the matrixes, the formation of oxidation products along the macromolecular chains or the evolution of the polymer architecture, evidenced by changes of the Tg or of the crystallinity, was observed. The perspectives of this preliminary work are discussed.