Effect of electron beam irradiation on the properties of crosslinked rubbers

Influence of electron beam (EB) irradiation on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of crosslinked fluorocarbon (FKM) rubber, natural rubber (NR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and nitrile rubber (NBR) has been investigated. The modulus, gel fraction, glass transition temperature (T-g) and storage modulus increased, while the elongation at the break and the loss tangent (tan delta)T-g decreased. FKM and NBR vulcanizates have been shown to have EB radiation resistance up to 1500 kCy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.