Thermomechanical and adhesive properties of radiation-modified polymer composites for thermosetting products

Gamma-irradiated blends of polyethylene (PE) with ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer (EPDM) and a thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP) are investigated at absorbed radiation doses not exceeding 150 kGy (10 kGy = I Mrad). The temperature dependences of elastic moduli, tension diagrams at a temperature above the melting point of the crystalline phase of PE, and long-term strain recovery curves for oriented test specimens are presented. The kinetics of thermal relaxation and shrinkage stresses ill previously oriented composite specimens upon their heating and cooling is investigated. Data on the influence of LCP additions on the adhesive interaction of the compositions with steel are obtained The peculiarities of thermomechanical and adhesion properties of these composites are discussed taking into account the morphologic and calorimetric data obtained.