Radiation crosslinking and breakdown of rubbers containing fluorine in the presence of oligoester acrylates

Abstract

It was shown that the rate of radiation crosslinking of rubbers containing fluorine increases rapidly in the presence of oligoester acrylates (OEA) which is accompanied by three dimensional graft polymerization of OEA in a rubber matrix. The dimensions of hardened OEA units and kinetics of three dimensional graft polymerization are determined by pre-polimerization distribution of OEA in the rubber matrix. The high polarity of rubbers containing fluorine ensures(lower heterogeneity of pre-polymerization distribution of OEA accounting for the high rates of radiation cross-linking of elastomers and effective intensification of the process in the absence of fillers. During radiation breakage, rupture of chemical bonds predominates first in OEA units or on their surface and during further irradiation the effect of breakdown of rubber molecules increases.