Abstract: The effect of radiation dose on the gel content of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM)has been investigated. The results indicated that with the same radiation dose the more thechlorine content in CSM, the easier was the CSM to be crosslinked. IR spectra study showedthe importance of CCl group in CSM in radiation crosslinking.The presence of the antioxidants depressed the oxidation of CSM during irradiation. Thetensile strength. and the elongation of the polymer increased with increasing radiation dosewhen the latter was low. A maximum value of the tensile strength appeared at about 110 kGy. It is also found that γ-irradiation in dose of 60-300 kGy showed no effect on theglass transition temperature and dielectric property of CSM.

Key words: Chlorosulfonated polyethylene, Radiation crosslinking, IR spectra, Physical propeity