Radiation processing of rubber mixtures with polyfunctional monomers

The concentration effect of the polyfunctional monomers TMPT (trimethylopropane trimethacrylate) on the physical properties of the natural rubber and of the EPDM (Ethylene-propylene-terpolymer) rubber, crosslinked by electron beam (EB) irradiation, is presented. Also, the concentration effect, of the polyfunctional monomer TAC (triallylcyanurate) on the physical properties of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) rubber and of the CPE (polyethylene chlorinated) rubber, obtained by EB vulcanization, is reported. Several results regarding the effect of simultaneous irradiation with accelerated EB and 2.45 GHz microwaves (MW) on the physical properties of the silliconic rubber containing TAC are discussed. For the proper polyfunctional monomers concentrations and proper EB doses the rubber physical properties are improved with respect to control samples obtained by classical procedure using benzoyl peroxide. The most important result obtained by the EB+MW treatment is the reduction of the EB dose compared to the separate EB irradiation, at the same vulcanization parameters.