The effect of high-energy electron beam irradiation on the physicochemical properties of PET material

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polyester used in the manufacture of containers and packaging. PET waste occupies one of the top positions in terms of volume among polymer waste. The radiation modification of PET is a promising method for regulating its operational and technological properties. It is assumed that irradiation of PET waste with an electron beam will facilitate its secondary processing. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the ionizing radiation on the PET physicochemical and physicomechanical properties. For this purpose, samples were irradiated by hig-energy electron beam with energy 10 MeV and dose range 0-600 kGy. The radiation-induced EPR of the signal was measured, and the dose dependence was estimated. As a result, it was found that irradiation with electrons leads to a decrease in the melting temperature and an increase in the melt fluidity and glass transition temperature of PET. The hardness and rigidity of the irradiated samples increase. The changes in properties are explained by the destruction of PET macromolecules, which proceeds with the formation of carboxyl and carbonyl groups.