Comparison between electron-beam and chemical crosslinking of silicone rubber

Silicone rubber (SR) was irradiated by electron beam over a dose range of 50-300 kGy in the absence of chemical reagents. Molecular weight between crosslinks (M-c) in the network of SB was determined by two methods of solvent swelling and modulus of elasticity. The network structure of the elastomer crosslinked by electron beam irradiation and chemical vulcanization was compared. Mechanical tests were performed to determine shore hardness, tensile elongation, strength and modulus of the samples. It was found that SR is effectively crosslinked by electron beam irradiation. The tensile strength, hardness, modulus and elongation of irradiated SR were higher than peroxide-crosslinked SR. The optimum dose for the neat rubber was 150 kGy which reduced to 50 kGy with addition of 10 wt.% fumed silica. The synergistic effect of fumed silica was verified by M-c measurements which showed a dramatic decrease in presence of fumed silica in the rubber. The synergism in properties was also verified by comparing the modulus values calculated from the Guth-Smallwood equation and experimental data. Absence of chemical reagents in irradiated SR samples makes them a proper choice for medical applications. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.