Properties of radiation-modified blends of polyethylene with elastomers and liquid crystalline copolyester

The results are given on the effect of gamma -irradiation on properties of blends of high and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) with elastomers et hylene/propylene/diene rubber (EPDM) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), an d thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). The morphological, thermal , mechanical properties (including thermosetting properties) and adhesion p roperties of blended composites were investigated. A special attention was paid to the applicability of the blends as thermosetting materials (TSM). T he LCP used was a copolyester of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with p-(hydro xybenzoic acid) in the ratio 40 : 60. It was found that addition of LCP ess entially influenced the thermomechanical and adhesion properties of PE comp osites, irradiated up to the absorbed dose 150 kGy, as well as the dimensio nal stability of thermosetting products, made from polyethylene/elastomer m ixtures. The results show that such ternary blends considerably improve the exploitation conditions of irradiated polyethylene and useful thermosettin g materials can be obtained.