Effect of γ‐radiation on the dynamic mechanical properties of silicone rubbers

Abstract Dimethyl‐, trifluoropropyl‐, and high phenyl content polysiloxanes were irradiated in a 60 Co source to doses of 100 Mrad. The hardness of the specimens increased with dose. Crosslink density changes did not directly reflect the hardness changes. The crosslink density of the dimethyl polymer increased significantly and that of the trifluoropropyl polymer increased only slightly. There was a slight decrease in the crosslink density of the aromatic material. The storage moduli reflected the changes in crosslink density. Loss moduli of the dimethyl‐ and trifluoropropylpolysiloxanes initially decreased and then increased on continuing irradiation. Dynamic moduli of the high aromatic content polymer were essentially unchanged by the radiation. All the dynamic data were correlated by the WLF time–temperature relationship.