Electron beam initiated crosslinking of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, U
PVC, has been carried out over a range of irradiation doses (20-200 kGy). T
he effects of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and Irganox 1010 on th
e rate of crosslinking were also studied. Changes in gel fraction, hardness
, tensile strength and damping properties upon irradiation were investigate
d. Results revealed that under the irradiation conditions employed, the sta
bilized UPVC are crosslinked by the electron beam. Addition of 4 phr TMPTA
was found to be effective in increasing the rate while Irganox 1010 inhibit
s crosslinking. A considerable increase in glass transition temperature upo
n irradiation of UPVC in the presence of TMPTA was noted. Further, within t
he dose range studied, the degradation caused by electron beam irradiation
was found to be minimal. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
.