Effects of electron beam irradiation on the structure-property behavior of blends based on low density polyethylene and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene- block copolymers

摘要

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) blends with different additives were exposed to various doses of electron beam irradiation. The additives used were styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene-block copolymers (SEBS), styrene-ethylene- butylene-styrene-block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) and mineral compounds. The structure-property behavior of electron beam irradiated blends was characterized in terms of mechanical, thermal, and electrical resistivity properties. The results indicated that the unirradiated LDPE blends with the different compositions showed improved mechanical properties, thermal and volume resistivity properties than pure LDPE. However, the improvement in properties of unirradiated blends by using SEBS-g-MA was higher than using SEBS copolymer. Further improvement in the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the LDPE blends was achieved after electron beam irradiation. The limited oxygen index (LOI) data revealed that the LDPE/SEBS-g-MA/ATH blend was changed from combustible to self-extinguishing material after electron beam irradiation to a dose of 100 kGy.