Radiation-Induced Cross-Linking in a Silica-Filled Silicone Elastomer As Investigated by Multiple Quantum 1H NMR

Abstract

DC745 is a commercially available silicone elastomer consisting of dimethyl, methylphenyl, and vinyl-methyl siloxane monomers crosslinked with a peroxide vinyl specific curing agent. It is generally considered to age gracefully and to be resistant to chemical and thermally harsh environments. However, little data exists on the radiation resistance of this commonly used silicone elastomer. We report static {sup 1}H NMR studies of residual dipolar couplings in DC745 solid elastomers subject to exposure to ionizing gamma radiation. {sup 1}H spin-echo NMR data shows that with increasing dose, the segmental dynamics decrease is consistent with radiatively induced crosslinking. {sup 1}H multiple quantum NMR was used to assess changes in the network structure and observed the presence of a bimodal distribution of residual dipolar couplings, , that were dose dependent. The domain with the lower has been assigned to the polymer network while the domain with the higher has been assigned to polymer chains interacting with the inorganic filler surfaces. In samples exposed to radiation, the residual dipolar couplings in both reservoirs were observed to increase and the populations were observed to be dose dependent. The NMR results are compared to Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and a two-step solvent swelling technique. The solvent swelling data lend support to the interpretation of the NMR results and the DSC data show both a decrease in the melt temperature and the heat of fusion with cumulative dose, consistent with radiative crosslinking. In addition, DSC thermograms obtained following a 3 hr isothermal soak at -40 C showed the presence of a second melt feature at T{sub m} {approx} -70 C consistent with a network domain with significantly reduced segmental motion.