Radiation interacts with polymers in two ways: a chain scission that results in
reduced tensile strength and elongation and crosslinking, which increases tensile strength but reduces elongation. Both reactions occur simultaneously, but one is usually dominant, depending upon the specific polymer and additives involved.
Chain scission classically affects stressed polymers (containing residual moulding stress) to a greater extent than non-stressed polymers. The combined impact of solvent-induced stress, residual moulding stress and applied load act to intensify radiation damage.
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