Tensile failure of γ-ray irradiated blends of high-density polyethylene and natural rubber

The effect of 60Co γ-radiation on the tensile properties of thermoplastic elastomer blends of natural rubber (NR) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been investigated. The samples were irradiated to absorbed doses ranging from 0.1 to 100 Mrad in air at room temperature (25°C) at a dose rate of 0.21 Mrad/hr. The effect of blend ratio and addition of carbon black (N 330) dicumyl peroxide (DCP) on the radiation resistance of the blends has also been studied. High energy radiation at a high dose rate was found to cause extensive crosslinking in the bulk, which in effect, caused a minima in the ultimate tensile strength in the range of 10–25 Mrad and a continuous decline in the elongation at break in all the blends. Chain scission, on the other hand, was restricted to the surface under the above-mentioned experimental conditions. This contention was substantiated by the results of irradiation of the samples in a nitrogen environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies on the tensile fracture surface morphology of the blends have also been undertaken in order to gain insight to the mechanism of failure.