Irradiation crosslinking of PVC/ENR blend: A comparative study with the respective homopolymers

Electron beam initiated crosslinking on a 50/50 poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxid ized natural rubber blend was studied in the absence and presence of 3 phr tri-methylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). Comparative studies were made on P VC and ENR homopolymers. The samples were irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV ele ctron beam machine at doses ranging from 20 to 200 kGy in air and room temp erature. The changes in tensile strength, ge; fraction and tan delta curves of the samples were investigated. The enhancement in tensile strength, gel fraction, glass transition temperature together with a concomitant decline tan delta peak revealed that under the irradiation conditions employed, th e PVC/ENR blend crosslinked by electron beam irradiation. Addition of 3 phr TMPTA found to be effective in increasing the degree of crosslinking. Simi lar observations were also noted for the homopolymers PVC and ENR, implying that both PVC and ENR in the blend undergo crosslinking, to a certain exte nt.