MECHANICAL AND THERMAL-PROPERTIES OF GAMMA-IRRADIATED LDPE-APP BLENDS

Low density polyethylene-atactic polypropylene (LDPE-aPP) blends have been irradiated in air in the dose up to 1500 kGy. Some investigations have been carried out into the effect of irradiation dose and the amo unt of the unsaturated monomer triallylcyanurate (TAC) on the irradiat ion blends. The influence of the doses of gamma irradiation on the str ucture and mechanical properties of the blends has been studied by usi ng calorimetric and stress-strain measurements. After irradiation in a ir up to the dose of 350 kGy, mechanical properties of the blends with lower content of aPP keep up relatively good. Thermal and mechanical properties of the irradiated blends are discussed in view of different radiation effects in these two homopolymers.