Effect of electron beam irradiation on mechanical properties of high density polyethylene and its blends with sericite-tridymite-cristobalite

Abstract

Some oxygen containing groups (mainly the CO group) are formed on the molecular chain of high density polyethylene (HDPE) during electron beam irradiation in air. The affinity between HDPE and sericite-tridymite-cristobalite (STC), the dispersion of STC in the HDPE matrix, and the mechanical properties of the HDPE/STC blend are improved quite a lot by the introduction of polar groups. Compared with HDPE, the tensile and impact strength of electron beam irradiated HDPE (30 kGy)/STC (60/40) are increased to 29.0 MPa and 518 J/m, respectively, from 24.5 MPa and 215 J/m; the tensile and impact strength of irradiated HDPE (30 kGy)/STC (50/50) are 31.1 MPa and 424 J/m, respectively. The Ceast impact test showed that the increase of impact strength was mainly due to the strong interfacial adhesion between irradiated HDPE and STC, thus preventing the spreading of cracks over wide areas. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 243–249, 2000