EFEFCT OF COBALT 60 GAMMA RADIATION ON THE RHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL FIBERS

The effect of gamma radiation on some of the physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers was measured. When irradiated in air, not formalized PVA fibers demonstrated only a small change in tensile strength at 107γ, but formalized fibers lost about 50% of their initial tensile strength. Draw ratio had an influence on the loss of the tensile strength of formalized fibers. The resistance to hot water was influenced only slightly. When irradiated in water, aqueous solution of ammonia, monoethanol amine and aniline, formalized fibers almost retained their initial tensile strength.The effect of irradiation on the tensile strength of PVA fibers acetalized by other monoaldehydes was almost the same as that of formalized fibers, but fibers acetalized by dialdehydes were outstanding in its resistance to changes in tensile strength at 107 γ.