HIGH ENERGY RADIATION STABILIZATION OF SEMI- CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

摘要

HIGH ENERGY RADIATION STABILIZATION OF SEMI-CRYSTALLE POLYMERS OF INVENTION A radiation stabilized and sterilized, flexible article is comprised of a semi-crystalline polymer having a crystalline content of from twenty percent to ninety percent. This polymer has been irradiated with a sterilizing amount of high energy radiation while having incorporated therein radiation stabilizing amounts of a hindered piperidine compound and another stabilizing additive sufficient to render the article substantially resistant to radiolysis while retaining its flexibility. A method for sterilizing and radiation stabilizing a semi-crystalline polymer is also part of the present invention.