The compounds with three vulcanization systems presented quite
different sensitivities when irradiated as shown by the affected
material properties. Resin cure systems showed no protection of
polymers against effect of radiation. The highest degradation
occurred in sulfur vulcanized compounds, being observed that for
low doses the crosslinking was preserved, whereas for high doses,
just degradation occurred. ‘‘Sulfur donor’’ samples were more stable
at low doses, as their properties were maintained constant, whereas
at higher doses they showed severe degradation. At doses higher
than 100 kGy there was a major loss observed in the assessed
properties for all butyl compounds, irrespective of the vulcanization
system used, except for the ‘‘sulfur cure’’ samples that showed no
variations in hardness for all applied doses.