Effect of the electron beam irradiation on the properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50) compatibilized linear low-density polyethylene/soya powder blends

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 124; no. 6; pp. 5220 - 5228
• Main Authors: Sam, S. T., Ismail, H., Ahmad, Z., Ratnam, C. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.06.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Blends; Breaking; Composites; electron beam irradiation; Electron beams; Elongation; epoxidized natural rubber; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Irradiation; linear low-density polyethylene; Materials science; Natural rubber; Polyethylenes; Polymer blends; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; soya powder; Technology of polymers; linear low-density polyethylene; Polymer blends; Electron beam; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Crystallinity; Soybean; Experimental study; Compatibilizer; soya powder; Composite material; Powder; Tensile strength; Radiochemical crosslinking; Thermal stability; Young modulus; Thermal properties; electron beam irradiation; Morphology; Concentration effect; Olefin polymer; Epoxidized natural rubber; Linear low density ethylene polymer
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.34136

Linear low‐density polyethylene/soya powder blends were prepared by using an internal mixer at 150°C. The soya powder content ranged from 5 to 40 wt %. Epoxidized natural rubber with 50 mol % epoxidation (ENR 50) was added as a compatibilizer. The blends were irradiated by electron beam (EB) at a constant dose of 30 kGy. The changes in gel fraction, tensile properties, morphological and thermal properties of the samples were investigated. The gel content increased after EB irradiation. However, the increment of gel content was hindered by increasing soya powder content. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the blends were increased by EB whereas the elongation at break decreased. The tensile fracture surface also support the reduction of elongation at break by EB irradiation. Further analysis on the irradiated blends using Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated an increase of oxygenated product after undergoing EB irradiation. The differential scanning calorimetry result indicated that the melting temperature of the blends decreased after EB irradiation whereas the crystallinity increased. EB irradiation also enhanced the thermal stability of the blends as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011