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Influence of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Mechanical Properties of Vegetable‐Oil‐Based Biopolymers |
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| Authors: | Mahendra Thunga Ying Xia Uwe Gohs Gert Heinrich Richard C. Larock Michael R. Kessler |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, 50011 Ames, IA, USA;2. Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, 50011 Ames, IA, USA;3. Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Strasse 6, D‐01069 Dresden, Germany |
| Abstract: | The influence of electron beam (EB) irradiation on the mechanical properties of biopolymers from modified linseed oil is studied. The thermoset is prepared by copolymerizing norbornenyl‐functionalized linseed oil and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). EB irradiation of the bulk polymer results in a substantial increase in the crosslinking density. The residual carbon‐carbon double bonds remaining after ROMP are expected to act as further crosslinking sites upon exposure to the high‐energy electrons. The increase in the crosslinking density is studied by DMA and sol/gel fraction measurements from Soxhlet extraction. Tensile testing reveals that Young's modulus and tensile strength are enhanced after EB irradiation.  |
| Keywords: | biopolymers electron beam irradiation mechanical properties NMR thermosets |