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Recent attempts toward improving the properties of natural rubber (NR) by using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as filler were not successful due to low dispersion of CNT in NR. This article reports the results of studies on improvement of dispersion of CNT in NR by acid modification of CNT surface. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of COOH groups on the CNT surface. On the basis of results of studies on using differential scanning calorimetry, universal testing machine, dynamic mechanical tester, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical properties, and transmission electron microscopy, it is concluded that acid modification of CNT leads to improvement in thermal stability, stress-strain, and dynamic mechanical properties. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 125: E76-E84, 2012

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Formulations of chemically crosslinked and radiation-crosslinked low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing an intumescent flame retardant such as ammonium polyphosphate were prepared. The influence of blending LDPE with a poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymer (EVA) and the effects of various coadditives, including polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PEgMA), vinyl silane with boric acid, and talc, on the mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Chemical crosslinking by dicumyl peroxide and crosslinking by ionizing radiation from an electron-beam accelerator were both used and compared. Improved mechanical properties were observed by the partial replacement of LDPE with EVA. Similar mechanical or thermal properties were observed with coadditives such as PEgMA and vinyl silane with boric acid. The addition of a small amount of talc improved the tensile strength of the formulations. All crosslinked formulations showed good thermal stability on the basis of the retention of mechanical properties after thermal aging for 168 h at 1358C and a hot-set test.