Electric properties of non-irradiated and gamma-irradiated bone

Abstract Dielectric spectroscopy has been applied to study the effect of water and γ-irradiation on bone. Measurements were performed in the electric field frequency range of 101–105 Hz and at temperatures from 22 to 240 °C. The bone samples contained about 3% water by mass at room temperature. The doses of γ-irradiation were 5, 50, 100, 300 and 1000 kGy. The influence of water and γ-irradiation on the permittivity and conductivity of bone is significant at temperatures above 100 °C. Results of this paper would suggest that γ-irradiation initiates two important processes: cross-linking for doses 5 and 50 kGy and main-chain degradation for higher doses. Analysis of polarisation and conduction mechanisms for bone was interpreted on the basis of proton transport.