Radiation vulcanization of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber with polyfunctional monomers

The efficiency of six polyfunctional monomers (PFMs) as crosslinking coagents for radiation vulcanization of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) by electron beam was studied. It was found that among the polyfunctional monomers having same functionality, short chain PFMs are better than long chain PFMs. Comparison is also made to select more efficient PFMs among methacrylates and acrylates for radiation vulcanization of NBR. The methacrylate monomers showed preference over acrylate monomers. Physical properties of NBR are greatly improved by PFMs at lower doses. Radiation vulcanization of NBR with diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (2G), at 20 kGy showed results similar to those obtained by conventionally vulcanized NBR. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.