Abstract
A series of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends with various compositions have been prepared by melt mixing followed by injection molding. These specimens are irradiated at 40, 80, 120 and 160 kGy electron beam radiation. The gel content increases with increase in EPDM and as well as EB dose. Storage modulus (E’) and loss modulus (E”) are decreased with increase in EPDM content. Storage modulus continues to increase and loss modulus keeps on decreasing with radiation dose. Interestingly, damping property is found to be more for EPDM rich blends, which again decreases upon irradiation. Morphology of fractured surface of LDPE/EPDM shows that with increase in EPDM content, the size and depth of the cavity becomes larger and deeper indicating higher ductility. But, EB crosslinking makes the surface smoother and the smoothness keeps on increasing with increase in dose rendering stiffness to the samples.
Highlights
Blending of a thermoplastic with an elastomer leading to a thermoplastic elastomer has become a practice for last forty years
That is why; low density polyethylene (LDPE)/EPDM blends have got their application in automobile, wire and cable insulation and construction applications [6] [7]
Higher is the gel content greater will be the amount of crosslinking, as gel content is the measurement of amount of crosslinking [21] [22]
Summary
Blending of a thermoplastic with an elastomer leading to a thermoplastic elastomer has become a practice for last forty years Due to their advantages in processing of thermoplastic, with elastomer of excellent physical properties, it is gaining wide varieties of applications. This is a widely used technique nowadays in industries. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density poly ethylene (LLDPE) are widely used plastics in the packaging and consumer industries because of their advantages like higher tensile strength, stress crack resistance, flexibility, thermal, chemical and excellent dielectric properties [1] [2] whereas EPDM elastomer exhibits high crosslinking ability, radiation resistance, thermal resistance, impact strength, flexibility and dynamic damping properties [3]. That is why; LDPE/EPDM blends have got their application in automobile, wire and cable insulation and construction applications [6] [7]
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