Abstract
Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity were measured, in the frequency range 100 Hz to 5 MHz in chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) (CPVC) before and after exposure to gamma irradiation at doses between 5.0 KGy and 50.0 KGy. The frequency dependencies of ε′, ε″ and σ
AC
at 30 °C were investigated. A relaxation peak in the dielectric loss and a corresponding step in the dielectric constant have been observed, in the frequency ranges 10
3
Hz to 10
4
Hz. The dielectric constant ε′, dielectric loss ε″ and AC conductivity σ
AC
are also found to increase at heating up to 100 °C. In addition the effect of gamma irradiation on the frequency dependencies of ε′, ε″ and σ
AC
was measured at room temperature. The gamma irradiation leads to an increase in the efficiency of soft segments. Furthermore, the DC electrical conductivity of both the irradiated and non-irradiated samples was investigated. The induced electrical conductivity and the activation energy were measured, at various temperatures, as a function of gamma dose. It was found that the gamma radiation has a definite effect on the DC conductivity of the CPVC polymer.