Mechanical Properties Changes of Irradiated Thermoplastic Elastomer

• Main Authors: David Manas, Ales Mizera, Miroslav Manas, Martin Ovsik, Lenka Hylova, Stanislav Sehnalek, Pavel Stoklasek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-01-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: thermoplastic elastomer; tensile test; micro-hardness testing; radiation cross-linking; mechanical properties
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/10/1/87

Some polymers need a cross-linking agent for the controlled cross-linking process of polymers with a tendency to degradation during the radiation cross-linking process. While, on the other hand, other polymers do not need a cross-linking agent—predominantly there are cross-linking polymers. The Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE) that was used belongs to this group of predominantly cross-linking polymers; however, this agent is added because of faster reaction times and smaller irradiation doses. Microindentation–tensile and tensile impact tests were carried out on a thermoplastic sample—with, and without, a cross-linking agent. Small changes were measured between these materials at low radiation doses, (up to 66 kGy); nevertheless, at higher doses, the influence of the cross-linking agent on the mechanical properties is significant.