Performance evaluation of polybenzimidazole under high-energy radiation environment

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 foradose 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 effectonthe 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.