Prolonged radiation exposure affecting plastics typically increases which property?

Prolonged radiation exposure affecting plastics typically increases which property?

• A. Ductility
• B. Brittleness
• C. Elasticity
• D. Toughness

Answer: (B)

Prolonged radiation exposure damages plastics by breaking chemical bonds in the polymer chains and creating defects. This damage reduces the chains' ability to move and to absorb energy, so the material cracks more easily under stress. The result is embrittlement, meaning the plastic becomes less ductile and more likely to fracture. Ductility, elasticity, and toughness do not increase with this kind of radiation damage; ductility tends to drop, elasticity can weaken, and overall toughness decreases as cracks propagate more readily.

Prolonged radiation exposure damages plastics by breaking chemical bonds in the polymer chains and creating defects. This damage reduces the chains' ability to move and to absorb energy, so the material cracks more easily under stress. The result is embrittlement, meaning the plastic becomes less ductile and more likely to fracture. Ductility, elasticity, and toughness do not increase with this kind of radiation damage; ductility tends to drop, elasticity can weaken, and overall toughness decreases as cracks propagate more readily.