Microhardness of polyamide 12 after crosslinking due to beta radiation

Abstract

The paper presents an experimental study of the effect of beta radiation on properties of surface layer of polyamide 12. Irradiation of polymers initiates crosslinking process in the structure especially in micro-layers. Radiation doses of 0, 33, 66, 99, 132, 165 and 198 kGy were used for unfilled polyamide 12 with the 5% crosslinking agent (triallyl isocyanurate). Applied radiation doses caused different structural and micromechanical changes which have a significant effect on the final properties of the tested polyamide 12. Beta irradiation of the examined thermoplastic caused the growth of values of material parameters as microhardness or indentation modulus of elasticity, indentation creep etc. The improvement of micromechanical properties was measured by the instrumented microhardness test. Raman spectroscopy analysis as an innovative analytical method was carried out on the irradiated samples. As a spectroscopic vibrational method it has the potential to provide quite detailed information on the structure, what is useful for monitoring structural changes of materials. The correlation between results of both methods has been detected and studied.