Research Article Open Access

INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON BEAM TREATMENT ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION AND THERMAL STABILITY OF LDPE/EPDM BLENDS

Bhuwanesh Kumar Sharma1, Subhendu Ray Chowdhury2, P. A. Mahanwar1 and K. S.S. Sarma2
  • 1 Institute of Chemical Technology, India
  • 2 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India

Abstract

The effect of blend composition and Electron Beam (EB) irradiation on the crystallization and thermal behavior of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Ethylene-Propylene-Diene elastomer (EPDM) blends had been studied. Melting temperatures were found to remain unchanged upon variation of blend composition as well as irradiation dose. But the degree of crystallinity and Tc (crystallization temperature) were decreased with increase in EPDM content and EB dose. On the other hand, thermal stability (in terms of onset temperature and degradation temperature) and activation energy were increased with increase in EPDM content and irradiation dose. But the speed of degradation slowed down with increasing EPDM content and EB dose. Interestingly, once Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate (TMPTA) and Triallyl Cynuerate (TAC) were incorporated into the blends, the degrees of change of these properties were more in same direction upon irradiation. At higher irradiation dose properties were demoted due to chain scission.

American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Volume 7 No. 3, 2014, 338-352

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2014.338.352

Submitted On: 31 August 2014 Published On: 17 November 2014

How to Cite: Sharma, B. K., Chowdhury, S. R., Mahanwar, P. A. & Sarma, K. S. (2014). INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON BEAM TREATMENT ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION AND THERMAL STABILITY OF LDPE/EPDM BLENDS. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 7(3), 338-352. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2014.338.352

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Keywords

  • Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
  • Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Elastomer (EPDM)
  • Crystallinity
  • Degradation
  • EB Irradiation
  • TMPTA and TAC