The Effect of Electron Radiation on the Tensile Strength of Tendon

Summary

Measurements of tensile strength were carried out on electron-irradiated strips of tendon. For dry tendon the dose needed to reduce the tensile strength to 37 per cent of its original value was found at approximately 18 Mrad. For the hydrated tendon the 37 per cent dose is approximately 46 Mrad. The presence of water thus reduces the sensitivity; this effect seems in disagreement with the assumption that the contributions of the direct and the indirect effect are additive.