| Abstract: | Electron beam initiated crosslinking on a 50/50 poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber blend was studied in the absence and presence of 3 phr trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). Comparative studies were made on PVC and ENR homopolymers. The samples were irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine at doses ranging from 20 to 200 kGy in air and room temperature. The changes in tensile strength, gel fraction and tan δ curves of the samples were investigated. The enhancement in tensile strength, gel fraction, glass transition temperature together with a concomitant decline tan δ peak revealed that under the irradiation conditions employed, the PVC/ENR blend crosslinked by electron beam irradiation. Addition of 3 phr TMPTA found to be effective in increasing the degree of crosslinking. Similar observations were also noted for the homopolymers PVC and ENR, implying that both PVC and ENR in the blend undergo crosslinking to a certain extent. |
