Influence of silica fillers on the ageing by gamma radiation of EDPM nanocomposites

This study evidences that the presence of silica fillers as well as their surface treatment influences the impact of gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties of the filled materials. It influences it both chemically, by a modification of the kinetics of the degradation reactions, and physically, through the complex modification of the filler-filler and filler-matrix interactions involved in the mechanical properties of the filler network. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.