Abstract
The purpose of this research was synthesis and electron beam modification of novel ester elastomers consisting of sugar alcohol–succinic acid block and butylene glycol–succinic acid block. Four different alditols were used in the synthesis—sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, and glycerol. The materials were irradiated with doses of 50, 100, and 150 kGy in order to determine which dose is the most beneficial. As expected, irradiation of the materials has led to the cross-link density becoming higher and improvement of the mechanical properties. Additionally, the materials were also sterilized in the process. The great advantage of elastomers described in the paper is the fact that they do not need chemical cross-linking agents or sensitizers in order to undergo radiation modification. The following tests were performed on cross-linked poly(polyol succinate-co-butylene succinate) elastomers: quasi-static tensile test, determination of cross-link density, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMTA), wettability (water contact angle), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In order to confirm successful synthesis, prepolymers were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR).
Highlights
Increasing demand for engineering plastics with very good mechanical properties has made it necessary to find a way to greatly enhance properties of common polymers in a cost-efficient manner that allowed mass production
The success of the synthesis was confirmed, and the polymer structure was analyzed by 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)
In 13 C NMR (Figure 2), two peaks linked to the CH2 groups can be seen—peak at 25 ppm corresponding to the CH2 (e) groups and peak at 30 ppm connected to the CH2 (a) group
Summary
Increasing demand for engineering plastics with very good mechanical properties has made it necessary to find a way to greatly enhance properties of common polymers in a cost-efficient manner that allowed mass production. In addition to being economical in terms of saving energy, space, and time, it allows for a high degree of control over the cross-linking process and eliminates the risk of microvoids being present in the material. In addition to mechanical properties, chemical and thermal characteristics are improved in the process. Radiation modification has many commercial applications, such as cross-linking polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for wire insulation, curing rubber compounds for tires, production of cross-linked PE pipes, and heat-shrinkable polyolefine tubing [1,2].
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