X-ray investigation of polypropylene and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends irradiated with fast electrons WAXS investigation of irradiated i-PP/EVA blends

Blends consisting of poly(propylene-ethylene) (PP) and poly(ethylene-co-vin yl acetate) (EVA) copolymers were investigated. Specimens were irradiated w ith fast electrons at different doses. Some of the samples show thermo-shri nkable properties. The interplanar spacing, paracrystalline factor, degree of crystallinity and crystallite sizes were determined by WAXS measurements . Results have been reported in respect to PP content and irradiation dose. A decrease of the crystallite's imperfections with the rise of the irradia tion dose was observed. An interface built up of partially interpenetrated amorphous molecular chains of incompatible polymers and separate PP and EVA small crystallites is suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.