Evaluation of radiation degradation of ethylene propylene rubber

For the evaluation of radiation degradation of ethylene-propylene rubber(EPR) cable insulation, EPR was irradiated with /spl gamma/-ray. Dielectric analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis and mechanical tests were carried out for each irradiated EPR. For dielectric analysis, permittivity and tan/spl delta/ increased with irradiation doses. Elongation at break and temperature at 5% weight loss of EPR showed the same tendency as increasing irradiation doses.