The effects of electron beam irradiation on LLDPE/CY biocomposites: Tensile and morphology properties

Abstract

The effect of electron beam irradiation on the properties of LLDPE/CY biocomposites were studied. In powder form, CY was mixed with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), prior to being fed into a twin-screw extruder and subsequently into an injection moulding machine to produce LLDPE/CY biocomposite dumbbell specimens. LLDPE/CY biocomposites with composition ratios of 5% to 20 wt% were studied. Electron beam irradiation (EBI) was applied on the LLDPE/CY biocomposites for crosslinking purposes, using a 1.5 MeV electron beam accelerator within the dosage range of 0–150 kGy. The tensile of the composites were investigated and tensile fractured surfaces were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the results, the radiation at 100 kGy caused the optimum absorption by the LLDPE/CY biocomposites.