| Abstract: | The effect of a poly(vinyl chloride) stabilizer, namely, tribasic lead sulfate (TBLS), on the irradiation modification of 50/50 poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blend, was investigated with a particular attention to inhibition of irradiation-induced crosslinking. The blends were prepared by mixing in a Brabender Plasticoder with the incorporation of 2, 3, and 5 phr (parts per hundred of total resin) TBLS. They were then irradiated using a 3.0 MeV electron accelerator with doses ranging from 0 to 200 kGy. The gradual fall in tensile strength, gel fraction, hardness, and resilience of the irradiated blend with the increase in TBLS content implied the inhibition of crosslinking by the stabilizer. The reduction in crosslink density with the addition of TBLS was further evidenced from the decline in T gwith a concomitant increase in tan δ maxima with the increase in TBLS content. |
