Rheological evidence of modifications of polypropylene by β-irradiation

Electron beam irradiation can be used to induce chemical changes in polymers. The resulting reactions lead to both degradation and crosslinking of polymer chains, depending on reaction conditions. In neat polypropylene, degradation dominates and results in a decrease of molecular weight and worsenin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rheologica acta 2003-05, Vol.42 (3), p.251-258
Main Authors: SCHULZE, Dirk, TRINKLE, Stefan, MIILHAUPT, Rolf, FRIEDRICH, Christian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chain branching
Chemical reactions
Creep (materials)
Crosslinking
Crosslinking and degradation
Degradation
Electron beams
Electron irradiation
Exact sciences and technology
Gelation
Mechanical properties
Molecular weight
Molecular weight distribution
Organic chemistry
Parameters
Physicochemistry of polymers
Polymers and radiations
Polypropylene
Radiation dosage
Rheological properties
Rheology
State (computer science)
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Summary:Electron beam irradiation can be used to induce chemical changes in polymers. The resulting reactions lead to both degradation and crosslinking of polymer chains, depending on reaction conditions. In neat polypropylene, degradation dominates and results in a decrease of molecular weight and worsening of mechanical properties. Enhanced crosslinking can be achieved by utilising a polyfunctional monomer. Triallylisocyanurate (TAIC) serves this purpose and can be used to crosslink polypropylene effectively. The corresponding changes of the rheological properties can be observed using oscillatory and creep experiments when changing the amount of TAIC added as well as the absorbed radiation dose. Depending on these parameters, we attribute the rheological properties to chain degradation or formation of a network and gelation. The phase angle vs the dynamic modulus plot is a useful analytical tool for characterisation of the resultant structures. Some samples showed behaviour that leads us to assume broadening of the molecular weight distribution and long chain branching. Resulting from the parameter dependencies, a topological state diagram is proposed to map parameter values to corresponding polymer structures.
ISSN:0035-4511
1435-1528
DOI:10.1007/s00397-002-0282-7