Radiation Effects on the Thermal, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of High-Density Polyethylene/Ethylene–Propylene–Diene-Monomer Blend

Abstract

Mixtures of high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers with ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) were prepared in a Brabender Plasticorder PL2100 mixer at 180 ° C for a volume of about 200 cm3 and 10 minutes at 60 rpm. The mixtures were ionized using radiation to obtain the desired properties which are suitable for certain applications; especially in immature products such as kitchen utensils, toys, furniture, roofs, electrical and electronic products. The tensile strength, elongation, hardness, swelling behavior, thermal stability and surface properties (SEM) of irradiated HDPE / EPDM samples were examined for their content and compared with unexposed samples. The results showed that the tensile strength and the swelling resistance of the irradiated samples increased with increasing HDPE content in HDPE / EPDM mixtures and fracture elongation showed an opposite tendency. As the EPDM content increased, the modulus of elasticity decreased.