Gamma radiation effects on an amine antioxidant added in an ethylene-propylene copolymer

Abstract The aim of this work was to compare the gamma radiation induced effects on samples of an ethylene-propylene copolymer antioxidant free with samples loaded with an antioxidant characterised by the presence of an -NH functional group. The employed techniques were Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Stable radicals RNO° due to the interaction of free radicals produced in the irradiated polymer with the antioxidant have been observed by ESR at room temperature. The time evolution of the ESR signals following the irradiation was examined at different doses. The amount of antioxidant not involved in the oxidation reactions has been determined using HPLC.