%0 Journal Article
%T The Influence of EB-Irradiated Treatment on Enhancing Barrier Property and Crystallization Behavior of Rubber-Toughened Nanocomposites
%A N. A. Jamal
%A H. Anuar
%A A. R. Shamsul Bahri
%J Journal of Nanotechnology
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2011/683725
%X Electron beam (EB) irradiation technique was introduced to modify the crystallization and oxygen (O2) barrier properties of high density-polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) matrix and HDPE/EPDM filled withorganophilic montmorillonite (OMMT). The absorbed dose for EB-irradiation was fixed at 100£¿kGy. HDPE/EPDM matrix and HDPE/EPDM filled with OMMT at 4£¿vol% loading were prepared via melt intercalation method. It was found that the barrier resistance of HDPE/EPDM filled withOMMT against oxygen (O2) transmission was significantly enhanced by EB-irradiation absorbed dose of 100£¿kGy as compared to the control system. The crystallization temperature, , and melting temperature, , were also improved with the addition of OMMT along with the aids of EB-irradiation technique. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) revealed that the stacking condition of OMMT particles was greatly reduced by EB-irradiation treatment as evidenced by finer surface and less formation of voids. 1. Introduction For many years, increasing interest has been devoted to polymeric alloys because blending is an important route for the preparation of materials with synergistic and modified properties [1, 2]. Polymer blends play an important role in achieving the required and desired properties that cannot be gained from a polymer alone. However, such a generalized concept should be more clearly defined to include the scale of the reinforcements since systems can be reinforced chemically at both microscopic and nanoscopic levels. Because of this reason, nanosized filler is introduced in order to develop nanocomposite with desired properties. The nanosized filler is based on the use of a low concentration of expandable smectite clays, such as organomontmorillonite (OMMT), in the matrix. Multifunctional benefits such as mechanical performance, oxygen permeability resistance and flame-retardant characteristics are obtained simultaneously. Different types of filler or reinforcement can be incorporated into polymer blending system, but the selection of the silicate layer is more preferable. This is due to the fact that use of traditional filler such as talc and mica increases the mechanical properties and yet additionally increases weight which is typically considered a negative factor in designing a material. Because of this reason, clay silicate as an emerging class of filler which requires less content to achieve similar or improved mechanical and thermal properties as well as barrier property has been used in this research work [3, 4]. Small amounts of
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