The complex response of polymers to radiation necessitates knowledge of the radiation resistance and of the effects of radiation type, energy, and intensity on the resistance. A brief discussion is given of the types of radiation and their interactions with materials, and the techniques for measuring the amount of energy absorbed in a material from the radiation field are surveyed. Present-day knowledge of how various parameters and properties of the specimen affect its response to radiation is discussed. Some of the problems peculiar to exposing a sample to radiation are described. Finally, a survey is presented of the status of standard test methods for irradiated polymers. (D.L.C.)