Spectroscopic analysis and mechanical properties of electron beam irradiated polypropylene/epoxidized natural rubber (PP/ENR) polymer blends

Polymer blends based on different ratios of polypropylene (PP) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) were prepared by melt extrusion into sheets. The PP/ENR blends were exposed to various dose of accelerated electrons. The formation of free radicals during and after electron beam irradiation was illustrated by electron spin resonance (ESR). Also, the effect of electron beam irradiation on the mechanical and structural morphology was investigated by stress-strain behavior and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ESR spectra indicated the formation of alkyl and allyl radicals during electron beam irradiation and peroxyl radicals during the post effect. The rate of radical decay was found to be second-order kinetics. The improvement in mechanical properties and structural morphology was confirmed to be due to the effect of electron beam irradiation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.