Characterization of Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Materials after Exposure to Beta and Gamma Radiation

AECL is currently exposing various commercial Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) materials to both gamma (Cobalt-60 source) and beta (tritiated water) radiation to study the effects of radiation on these materials. This paper summarizes the testing methods and results that have been collected to date. The PEMs being studied range in thickness and production method. These studies provide a baseline for AECL to determine if a correspondence between gamma and beta radiation effects exists and to produce improved radiation resistant membranes.