Titanium Dioxide and Gamma Irradiation Induced Changes in the Structural, Morphology, and Mechanical Behavior of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer

Abstract

Some composites were prepared depending on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer with 18% VA content and titanium dioxide (TiO2). These composites were prepared in the ratios of 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 by melt mixing method. Gamma radiation at differing doses was applied on pure EVA and composites to investigate the impact on modification of composites. Gel percentage and the Charlesby‐Pinner equation were used to confirm crosslinking increases. X‐Ray diffraction measurement (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and mechanical testing were all used to investigate the varying effects of the different processes on the structure, morphology, and mechanical behavior of EVA. It was observed that the addition of TiO2 and gamma irradiation both have a significant effect on the structure and, therefore, the composites' surface morphology. Notable changes of the lattice structure were revealed by the XRD results for both unirradiated and irradiated composites, which were also confirmed by examination of the samples' surface morphology. It was found that the presence and amount of TiO2 along with the irradiation process has a significant influence upon the EVA's mechanical behavior. When compared with the pure EVA, the results demonstrated a significant enhancement in the mechanical parameters of both unirradiated and irradiated composites, except elongation at break. The mechanical results were in line with gel content analysis. The reliability of gamma radiation as an applied method for controlling long‐term properties is clearly demonstrated. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:224–235, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers

Electron beam irradiation on monolayer plastic packaging films: Studies on physico‐mechanical and thermal properties

“…Experimental evidence as reported in several literatures suggests that the radiation‐induced crosslinking takes place primarily in the amorphous phase and at the interface between crystalline and amorphous regions 35,41,42 . Due to crosslink formation in the interface between these two regions, crystalline phase becomes slightly impaired and resulted in lowered crystallinity when exposed under high‐energy radiation (γ rays) 35,39,40 …”

Calcium carbonate and ammonium polyphosphate flame retardant additives formulated to protect ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer against fire: Hydrated or carbonated calcium?

“…The effect of the incorporation of flame-retardant additives on the mechanical properties of composites is a key in application of the resulting composite. [30][31][32] Indeed, obtaining a material with excellent flame retardant properties present no interest if its mechanical properties are inadequate. Several parameters such as particles size and shape, dispersion and distribution of additives throughout the polymer matrix and its affinity to the continuous phase need to be controlled to avoid any dramatic fall in the mechanical performances of the final composite material.…”

Valorization of waste polyethylene by blending with ethylene‐vinylacetate and incorporating a new type of compatibilizer

“…Blends are used in several applications like high voltage cable system, automobile parts, agricultural films, multilayer packaging films and sheets due to improved toughness, transparency, environmental stress cracking resistance, flexibility, thermal and electrical resistivity. [ 2,5‐9 ]…”

“…Blends are used in several applications like high voltage cable system, automobile parts, agricultural films, multilayer packaging films and sheets due to improved toughness, transparency, environmental stress cracking resistance, flexibility, thermal and electrical resistivity. [2,[5][6][7][8][9] Iannaccone et al [10] studied the rheological and mechanical properties of EVA/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends for injection molding. They found the presence of EVA increased the crystallization kinetics of PE.…”

“…Although some research works [1][2]4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][13][14] have focused on the blending and compatibilizing of PE and EVA, but there is a lack in number of studies [3,[15][16] based on waste source at least partially. In order to reduce the environmental problems generated by plastic wastes, the development of new materials based on waste resources was a challenge in the last years both for academic and industrial research.…”