Studying the Effect of Low α-Radiation Doses on CR-39 Polymers Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is one of the unique tools for studying free-volume defects in solid media. The microhardness test offers a simple and nondestructive tool for investigating the mechanical behavior of polymer materials. Polyallyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39) track detectors have a variety of applications in science and technology. PALS measurements and microhardness tests were verified for CR-39 irradiated with different doses of alpha particles (0 - 69.20 mGy). The variations in free volume hole size and fractional free volume were obtained by using the PALS method. The small free volume hole sizes were found at doses 27.68 and 44.98 mGy. The microhardness test for the two doses yielded medium values.