Electron-beam irradiation of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber blend in the presence of Irganox 1010

Abstract

The effect of irradiation on a 50/50 poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber blend was studied in the presence of 0–1.5 phr Irganox 1010. The blend was irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine at 0, 100 and 200 kGy irradiation doses. The results on the gel fraction and tensile strength revealed the inhibition of the irradiation-induced crosslinking by the Irganox 1010. The dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopic studies further confirmed these observations. The consumption of the Irganox 1010 during irradiation and the stability offered by the antioxidant against irradiation-induced oxidative degradation was evident from FTIR analysis. The retention in the tensile strength upon ageing at 70°C/168 h suggests that the addition of 0.5 phr Irganox 1010 is essentially sufficient to provide stability to the blend with minimum loss in mechanical properties during irradiation.