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Performance Evaluation of Polybenzimidazole Under High Energy Radiation Environment

Publication Type : Journal Article

Publisher : Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Source : Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2015)

Url : https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/1.T4810

Campus : Coimbatore

School : Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering

Department : Aerospace

Year : 2015

Abstract : Polybenzimidazole is a recently emerged high-performance polymer exhibiting excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Because of the nature of the chemical structure of polybenzimidazole, it has great potential to be used as high-temperature radiation-resistant material for applications in space environment. In this context, a study is performed to evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and optical performance of polybenzimidazole after exposure to high-energy electron and gamma radiation. Polybenzimidazole films are exposed to gamma radiation and electron radiation for a dose of 300 and 1000 kGy, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis shows that exposure of polybenzimidazole to high-energy radiation has not deteriorated the thermal stability of the polymer, and it has maintained its thermal stability even up to a temperature of 500°C with a total weight loss of 15%. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the exposure of polybenzimidazole to high-energy radiation has even improved the storage modulus in the high-temperature range. Tensile test results indicate that high-energy radiation has a very minor effect on the tensile strength of polybenzimidazole. However, a decrease in tensile strain is observed. Photospectroscopic results show that polybenzimidazole has not changed its light-transmitting characteristic even after exposure to high-energy radiation. All these results indicate that polybenzimidazole has great potential for application in space and nuclear industry.

Cite this Research Publication : I. H. M. S., Shantanu Bhowmik, and R., B., “Performance Evaluation of Polybenzimidazole Under High Energy Radiation Environment”, Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2015.

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