ABSTRACT
Electronic products stored near nuclear reactors, isotropic nuclear sources, accelerators, or nuclear detonations must be designed to tolerate the two basic effects of nuclear irradiation — mechanical and electrical failures. The radiation environment in space near the earth is composed, primarily, of the Van Allen, auroral, solar flare, and cosmic phenomena. Radiation induced formation of gas, decreased elasticity, and changes in hardness and elongation are some of the predominant changes in plastics which have been subjected to radiation of the type encountered in the space environment. Solar radiation principally causes physical or chemical deterioration of materials due to photo-radiation induced reactions, such as photo-induced degradation of rubber. Radiation can also cause effects, such as the temporary electrical breakdown of semiconductor devices exposed to ionizing radiation. In metals and ceramics, radiation causes mechanical failures through point defects such as Schottky defects.
