Abstract
The effect of electron-beam (EB) irradiation on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied The LDPE was irradiated by using 3 MeV EB machine at doses ranging from 25 to 250 kGy in air at room temperature and analyzed for mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. It was revealed by differential scanning calorimetry analysis that the crystallinity of the EB-radiated LDPE decreased slightly as verified by a marginal reduction in the densities, enthalpy, and melting points. Thermogravimetric analysis test showed that the thermal degradation of LDPE improved by increasing irradiation. The results obtained from both gel content and hot set tests, indicating whether the applicable LDPE has been properly cross-linked or not, showed that under the EB irradiation conditions employed, the cross-linking of the LDPE samples occur mainly in the amorphous region, and the cross-linking density at each irradiation dose depends almost on the amorphous portions of the LDPE. A significant improvement in the tensile strength of the neat LDPE samples was obtained upon EB up to 250 kGy with a concomitant decline in elongation at break. The results on the electrical properties revealed that the surface resistance, volume resistivity, and dielectric strength of the LDPE increase with irradiation dose and reaches a maximum at a 250 kGy irradiation dose. No considerable change of breakdown voltage, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss factor were observed with increasing irradiation dose. The enhancement in the heat deformation, hardness, and thermal aging properties of LDPE upon EB irradiation, suggests that irradiated LDPE is more thermally and mechanically stable than virgin LDPE.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
Youssef HA, Ali ZI, Zahran AH (2001) Electron-beam structure modification of poly (vinyl chloride) wire coating. J Polym Degrad Stab 74:213–218
Liu H, Fang Z, Peng M, Shen L, Wang Y (2009) The effects of irradiation cross-linking on the thermal degradation and flame-retardant properties of the HDPE/EVA/magnesium hydroxide composites. J Radiat Phys Chem 78:922–926
Ramazani S, Rahimi A, Frounchi M, Radman S (2008) Investigation of flame retardency and physical–mechanical properties of zinc borate and aluminum hydroxide propylene composites. J Mater Des 29:1051–1056
Gheysari D, Behjat A, Haji-Saeid M (2001) The effect of high-energy electron-beam on mechanical and thermal properties of LDPE and HDPE. J Eur Polym 37:295–302
Dadbin S, Frounchi M, Haji Saeid M, Gangi F (2002) Molecular structure and physical properties of E-beam crosslinked low-density polyethylene for wire and cable insulation applications. J Appl Polym Sci 86:1959–1969
Gheysari D, Behjat A (2001) Radiation crosslinking of LDPE and HDPE with 5 and 10 MeV electron-beams. J Eur Polym 37:211–216
Ziaie F, Anvari F, Ghaffari M, Borhani M (2005) Dose rate effect on LDPE cross-linking induced by electron-beam irradiation. J Nukleonika 50(3):125–127
Hassanpour S, Khoylou F, Jabbarzadeh E (2003) Thermal degradation of electron-beam crosslinked polyethylene and (ethylene–vinylacetate) blends in hot water. J Appl Polym Sci 89:2346–2352
Dadbin S, Frounchi M, Sabet M (2005) Studies on the properties and structure of electron-beam crosslinked low-density polyethylene/poly [ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] blends. J Polym Int 54:686–691
Akin Sener A, Demirhan E (2008) The investigation of using magnesium hydroxide as a flame retardant in the cable insulation material by cross-linked polyethylene. J Mater Des 29:376–1379
Youssef HA, Magdy MS, Hanan ME (2007) Characterization of LDPE and LDPE/EVA blends crosslinked by electron-beam irradiation and foamed with chemical foaming agent. J Polym Res 14:351–357
Sharif J, Hanisah SS (2000) Radiation effects on LDPE/EVA blends. J Radiat Phys Chem 58:191–195
Ratnam CT, Abdullah Z, Ismail H (2006) Electron-beam irradiation of EVA/ENR blend. Polym Plast Technol Eng 45:555–559
Ghaffari M, Ziaie F (2007) Effect of additives on thermal properties of electron-beam irradiated LDPE foam. J Nukleonika 52(1):35–38
Dalai S, Wenxiu C (2002) Radiation effects on LDPE/EVA blends. J Appl Polym Sci 86:1296–1302
Hassan MA (2004) Effect of incorporation of butyl acrylate–iron chelate resin on the flammability properties of Mg(OH)2-LDPE compositions. J Polym Plast Technol Eng 43(5):1487–1501
Hippi U, Mattila J, Korhonen M, Seppälä J (2003) Compatibilization of polyethylene/aluminum hydroxide (PE/ATH) and polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide (PE/MH) composites with functionalized polyethylenes. Polymer 44:1193–1201
Borhani M, Mirjalili G, Ziaie F, Bolorizadeh MA (2007) Electrical properties of EVA/LDPE blends irradiated by high energy electron-beam. J Nukleonika 52(2):77–81
Ziaiea F, Borhanic M, Mirjalilib G, Bolourizadeh MA (2007) Effect of crystallinity on electrical properties of electron-beam irradiated LDPE and HDPE. J Radiat Phys Chem 76:1684–1687
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sabet, M., Hassan, A. & Ratnam, C.T. Mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of irradiated low-density polyethylene by electron beam. Polym. Bull. 68, 2323–2339 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-012-0741-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-012-0741-y