Irradiation

Physics

Biodegradation

Organic chemistry

Polymer chemistry

Nuclear medicine

Optics

Nuclear chemistry

Radiation

Nuclear physics

Chemistry

Materials science

Radiation dose

Medicine

Macromolecular Symposia

Two samples of microbial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) having different molecular weight were used for the preparation of films to be exposed to gamma radiation. The effect of radiation on those samples with high molecular weight increased the fragility of the film. Biodegradability increased with time and reached about 95% after 18 days. Weight‐loss of both samples (irradiated and non‐irradiated) after 23 days were 100%, for those films with molecular weight of 265 kD.

Biodegradable polymeric films based on microbial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate). Effect of gamma‐radiation on mechanical properties and biodegradability