28—FREE RADICALS IN ?-IRRADIATED WOOL : A ESTIMATION AND RÔLE IN POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE

Abstract
Free radicals, which are produced when wool is irradiated by γ-rays, are stable only in the absence of oxygen. These radicals, whose concentration has been estimated by means of electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy, are able to initiate polymerization of acrylonitrile within the fibre, resulting in weight increases up to 27%. The amount of polymer produced was found to be directly proportional to the square root of radical concentration. Solubility tests indicate that the polymer may be grafted to the wool.