Sains Malaysiana 40(7)(2011): 685–689

Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on Natural Rubber/Linear Low DensityPolyethylene Blends with m-Phenylenebismaleimide

(Kesan Sinaran Alur Elektron bersama m-Fenilenabismaleimida ke Atas Adunan Getah Asli/Polietilena Linear Berketumpatan Rendah)

Nor Hayati Muhammad*

Universiti Teknologi MARA, 88997 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Ibrahim Abdullah

School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E. Malaysia

Dahlan Hj. Mohd

Malaysian Nuclear Agency Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor D.E. Malaysia

Received: 23 October 2009 / Accepted: 5 October 2011

ABSTRACT

The effects of HVA-2 on radiation-induced cross-linkings in 60/40 natural rubber/ linear low density polyethylene (NR/LLDPE) blends was studied. NR/LLDPE was irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine with doses ranging from 0 to 250 kGy. Results showed that under the irradiation employed, the blends NR/LLDPE were cross-linked by the electron beam irradiation. The presence of HVA-2 in the blends caused the optimum dose to decrease and the blends to exhibit higher tensile properties. Further, within the dose range studied, the degradation caused by electron beam irradiation was found to be minimal. The optimized processing conditions were 120oC, 50 rpm rotor speed and 13 min processing time. The gel content, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and impact test studies were used to follow the irradiation-induced cross-linkings in the blend. For blends of 60/40 NR/LLDPE with 2.0 phr HVA-2, the optimum tensile strength and dose, were 19 MPa and 100 kGy, respectively. Blends of 60/40 NR/LLDPE without HVA-2, the optimum tensile strength and dose were 17.2 MPa and 200 kGy, respectively.

Keywords: Cross-linking; HVA-2; irradiation; NR/LLDPE

ABSTRAK

Kesan m-fenilenabismaleimida (HVA-2) yang boleh menggalak dan merangsang taut silangan akibat sinaran ke atas adunan getah asli/ polietilena linear berketumpatan rendah (NR/LLDPE) 60/40 telah dikaji. Adunan NR/LLDPE 60/40 disinari pada dos antara 0 dan 250 kGy menggunakan mesin alur elektron 3 MeV. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa sinaran alur elektron boleh menyebabkan taut silangan dalam adunan NR/LLDPE. Kehadiran HVA-2 dalam adunan NR/LLDPE boleh mengurangkan dos optimum yang diperlukan dan meningkatkan sifat-sifat regangan. Keadaan pemprosesan optimum yang diperoleh adalah suhu 120oC, kadar rotor 50 rpm dan masa pengadunan 13 min. Bagi adunan NR/LLDPE 60/40 yang mengandungi 2.0 phr HVA-2, kekuatan tegasan maksimum dan dos sinaran adalah masing-masing 19 MPa dan 100 kGy. Bagi adunan NR/LLDPE 60/40 tanpa HVA-2, kekuatan tegasan maksimum dan dos sinaran adalah masing-masing 17.2 MPa dan 200 kGy.

Kata kunci: HVA-2; NR/LLDPE; sinaran; taut silangan

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*Corresponding author; email: hayati688@sabah.uitm.edu.my