Influence of Gamma-Irradiation on Swelling Percentage, Flammability Resistance and Morphological Analysis of EPDM/Sepiolite Composites

Abstract:

Gamma irradiation is a particularly effective method for inducing crosslinking, which leads to improved composite characteristics. The effects of gamma irradiation on swelling percentage, flammability and morphological analysis were investigated. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber composites were prepared with various amounts from 10-60 phr (part per hundred part of rubber) of the sepiolite particles using a two-roll mill machine. The composites were subjected to 50 kGy of gamma irradiation and compared with unirradiated composites. The results demonstrate a reduced in swelling percentage at all sepiolite loadings. The crosslinks of rubber chains into sepiolite/EPDM composites generated by gamma rays resulted in improvements in the swelling resistance. The irradiation composites, however showed lower flammability resistance to the non-irradiated composites.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 908)
• Pages: 110-115
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-em3zsj
• Online since: January 2022
• Authors: Nurul Aizan Mohd Zaini*, Ismail Hanafi, Arjulizan Rusli, Ibrahim Sofian
• Keywords: Flammability Analysis, Gamma-Radiation, Morphological Analysis, Sepiolite, Swelling Percentage

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