Effects of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of and susceptibility to biodegradation of natural fibers

The effect of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties and surface structure of woven fabrics made of cotton, flax, and silk fibers was investigated. It was found that small radiation doses (up to 15 kGy), sufficient for effective disinfection of textiles, caused only insignificant changes in the fiber parameters tested. However, it was found that doses increased to 100 kGy bring about a considerable weakening of the tested fabrics——their tensile strength decreases by 26–33%. Microbiological examination has shown that preradiation of cotton and linen fabric samples with a dose of 100 kGy does not affect the susceptibility of these fabrics to fungal biodegradation. A silk fabric irradiated under the same conditions shows clear susceptibility to bacterial biodegradation.