Electron Beam Radiation-Assisted Preparation and Modification of Thermoplastic Elastomer Blends

Abstract

For the last couple of decades, high-energy electron beam radiation is being used for cross-linking and curing polymers and polymer blends. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) blends are gaining importance in recent years because they offer several practical advantages over thermoset rubbers (cross-linked). They show higher mechanical properties than vulcanized rubber but can be rapidly processed and fabricated like thermoplastics. This chapter includes the effect of electron beam radiation on various properties of a series of thermoplastic elastomeric blends such as EPDM-PP, EPDM-PE, NBR-PP, and NBR-PE. The role of the electron beam in controlling various properties of EPDM, PP, PE, and NBR is discussed in this chapter. This chapter also discusses the EB-assisted preparation of thermoplastic elastomer blends. It is observed that up to a certain dose of EB encourages cross-linking leading to various useful properties. If dose is very high depending on the systems, the degradation starts deteriorating the properties. The structure–property relationship has been established for every system. Overall, the chapter is providing information on the preparation, modification of properties, and possible applications of various thermoplastic elastomer blends.