Effect of Electron Beam Radiation on the Mechanical Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Waste Tire Dust (WTD) Blends

Blends of low-density polyethylene, LDPE /waste tire dust, WTD were prepared by using a Haake mixer at 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 blend ratios. The blends were irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam (EB) machine at 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kGy irradiation doses. All the samples were tested for mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100% strain, hardness and impact strength before and after irradiation exposure. Prior to irradiation, the mechanical properties of the blends (except for impact strength) found to show a gradual decrease with the addition of WTD. Enhancements in the mechanical properties were achieved upon EB irradiation of the LDPE/WTD blends. This is attributed to the irradiation induced crosslinking of LDPE matrix along with the increase in the compatibility of LDPE/WTD blend through irradiation-induced co crosslinking between the WTD and LDPE at the interface. The gel fraction results and scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surfaces of the LDPE/WTD blends show evidences consistent with the above contention.