Estudo da degradação causada pela radiação gama em polímeros utilizados em serviços de radioterapia

Abstract

Radiotherapy Services uses many different types of polymeric accessories to assist in the positioning of patients during treatment and work routines. Gamma radiation can cause material degradation and allow that harmful compounds are released into the air. Also can harm the efficiency of sterilization and reduce the accessories useful life. This paper presents the study of the degradation caused by exposure to gamma radiation in polymers used in radiotherapy services. Samples of polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a composite of polyurethane derived from castor oil with Jute (PU-Jute) were exposed to gamma radiation doses of 5 kGy (few weeks of routines radiotherapy) to 25 kGy (sterilization dose) and analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, instrumented indentation, contact angle and thermal analysis. The PU-Jute samples proved to be the most fitting for use in places with radiation exposure. The material embrittlement was detected above 20 kGy doses. Also does not change their hydrophilic characteristic allowing aseptic procedures efficiently and has no harmful volatile compounds in the composition. The PC samples showed signs of embrittlement with 5 kGy reducing drastically their lifetime. Therefore is not suited for radiotherapy services.