Mechanical Properties of Electron Beam Irradiated Polyethylene/Expanded Graphite Nanocomposite

PE /EG nanocomposite with 2.5% EG was prepared by diluting 30% masterbatch of PE/EG composite through melt extrusion. Sample sheets with 2 mm thickness were irradiated by electron beam (EB) from 80-150 kGy. SEM images proved a good dispersion of EG into the PE matrix. Gel content of the irradiated samples was determined to indicate the degree of crosslinking formation in all the irradiated samples. Regarding the mechanical properties, the tensile strength of the irradiated PE/EG composites was slightly affected by radiation dose while the modulus of the samples significantly increased with increasing irradiation dose resulting of more crosslinking reactions.