Abstract. Different compositions of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/multiple walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nano-composites were prepared by melt mixing and subjected to different doses of gamma radiation. The efficiency of radiation vulcanization was analyzed by sol-gel analysis, Charlesby-Pinner parameter estimation and crosslinking density measurements. Gamma radiation induced crosslinking was found to increase with MWNT fraction in EVA-MWNT nanocomposites (p0/q0 in the range: 1.15-0.98). These results ruled out the possibility of a significant neutralization of single ionization spurs by MWNT addition. The incorporation of MWNT also resulted in increased hardness and higher density of the nano-composite matrix. The efficiency of multifunctional acrylates as crosslinking aid in the radiation-induced vulcanization of EVA-MWNT nano-composites was also investigated. The results established lower efficiency of methacrylates than of acrylates in the radiation vulcanization process.
Synergistic effect of MWNT induced reinforcement and high energy radiation induced crosslinking on the physico-mechanical and thermal characteristics of polychloroprene rubber (PCR)/ethylene-propylene diene rubber (EPDM)/MWNT elastomeric nanocomposites was investigated. The extent of reinforcement, as assessed using the Kraus equation suggested high reinforcement of the blend on MWNT addition; though, the thermal stability and glass transition of the PCR and EPDM components were not significantly affected by MWNTs. The elastic modulus increased with the radiation dose as well as with the increase in MWNT content. The reinforcing mechanism of the nanocomposites was studied by various micromechanics models all of which predicted higher moduli than the experimentally observed results, indicating agglomeration in the nanocomposites. Nevertheless, in all the composites synergistic effect of radiation crosslinking and MWNT induced reinforcement were seen, suggesting radiation induced crosslinking between polymer and MWNT interface.
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