AGING AND CHEMICAL-RESISTANCE OF CROSS-LINKED ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA, 12, 28 and 45 % VA) has been su bjected to electron beam radiation (EER) over a range of irradiation d oses (20-200 KGy) in presence of a polyfunctional monomer (0.5-5 %). T he tensile strength of EVA improves on irradiation. After air bomb agi ng the samples, irradiated with low radiation doses (20 and 50 KGy) co ntaining 1% trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate or triallyl cyanurate s how the best retention in tensile strength. Acids (HCl, HNO3) and alka li (NaOH) show marginal effect on changes' in tensile strength of irra diated samples. Peroxide cured samples show lower strength compared to irradiated ones after air bomb aging or acid and alkali treatment.