Analysis of the Gamma Irradiation Effect on PTFE Films by FTIR and DSC

Abstract

Dielectric materials can be used in radiative environment that is why it is of major importance to determine their properties modifications with time. In this paper we focus our attention on PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) films submitted to gamma radiations. We investigate the FTIR spectra and show that after exposure to Co60the crystallinity of the material is increasing. This result is confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Some space charge distribution profiles obtained by the Pulse Electro Acoustic (PEA) method show that the irradiation favours the drift of injected charges toward the bulk. Obviously the dose of radiation must be carefully chosen in order to be able to perform electrical measurements. Indeed, we observed that if the radiation dose is too high the sample becomes fragile and most of the characterisation tools cannot be used.