Durability of Radiation-Sterilized Polymers XV : Comparison of Damage on Polypropylene Irradiatated by Converted X-rays with Those by Gamma-rays and Electron Beam

Yosii Fumio, Sunaga Hiromi, Makuuchi Kiezo, Ishigaki Isao, BAHARI Kamarudim

doi:10.4286/ikakikaigaku.61.9_387

Damage of higher molecular weight polypropylene (PP) and copolypropylene (CPP) with 6% ethylene irradiated by X-rays (Bremsstrahlung radiation) emitted from a tungsten target irradiated with electron beam (EB) were compared with that by gamma-rays and EB. Polypropylene degrades in two stages as a result of radiation sterilization : during irradiation and during storage after irradiation. On exposure to X-rays, EB or gamma-rays, the radiation stability of PP and CPP, was quite similar. However, the stability of PP and CPP irradiated by X-rays is slightly less than that of EB. The dependence of irradiation type on oxidation which causes degradation of polymer clearly follows the trend : gamma-rays > X-rays > EB.The oxidation of EB irradiated polymer corresponds to a smaller reduction of physical properties of the polymer after irradiation. For physical properties of polymer after irradiation, the difference between gamma-rays and X-rays was not easily recognized from the results of oxidation measurements. This is due to the use of radiation resistant polymer (PP and CPP).Accordingly, it was concluded that converted X-rays having higher penetration compared with EB are effective in radiation sterilization of thicker medical devices.

Durability of Radiation-Sterilized Polymers XV : Comparison of Damage on Polypropylene Irradiatated by Converted X-rays with Those by Gamma-rays and Electron Beam

Bibliographic Information

Search this article

Description

Journal

Details 詳細情報について

Export

Report a problem