Abstract
Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) was blended with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in the ratio 1:1. The blends obtained were vulcanized with sulfur or with peroxide vulcanizing systems. The vulcanized samples were subjected to radiation graft copolymerization with acrylonitrile (AN). The parameters affecting graft yield, such as irradiation dose, monomer concentration, and type of solvent, were investigated. It was found that sulfur-vulcanized blends are less susceptible towards graft copolymerization than peroxide-vulcanized blend even after purification from residual additives. Thus, the maximum graft yield was found to achieve 5% and 45% for sulfur-and peroxide-vulcanized samples, respectively. In addition, the graft copolymerization of AN onto EPDM/PE blend improves its solvent resistance depending on graft yield, exceeding 8%. Also, the mechanical properties of the blends obtained were improved markedly at low graft percentages not exceeding 14%.
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