EFFECTS OF ELECTRON-IRRADIATION ON PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF RUBBER CELLULOSE FIBER COMPOSITES

Short term stress-strain properties were investigated for natural rubb er reinforced with short cellulose fibres at various fibre loads. Stre ss-strain measurements were also performed on natural rubber composite s containing cellulose fibres, electron irradiated in the presence of butadiene or N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, where the latter monomer produ ced the greatest improvement in stress-strain properties. Chemilumines cence analysis indicated the existence of a surface layer on the fibre s after irradiation treatments, and water absorption measurements show ed a decrease in water uptake for composites containing irradiated fib res. The results demonstrate the improvement of mechanical properties with a reduced sensitivity to moisture.