ELECTRON BEAM MODIFICATION OF CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE

Abstract Modification of polymers by electron beam (EB) radiation is a potential method for the development of new polymers and composites. This investigation reports the modification of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) using electron beam radiation. In this case, the modification was carried out by using different dose of EB radiation. Different sensitizers at different concentrations were used to minimize the dose of EB radiation for effective crosslinking of the polymer. The optimum level of the radiation dose and the sensitizer concentration was determined by studying the gel content, mechanical, and electrical properties of the modified CPE. The percentage of the loss of chlorine during electron beam modification was calculated by monitoring the chlorine content in the modified CPE. The modified polymers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Electrical properties of the modified CPE were also studied.