Effect of β-irradiation on mechanical properties of metallocene elastomers/PA6 blends

Binary blends of metallocene polymers with polyamide-6 as dispersed phase and ternary blends with a metallocene-grafted rubber as compatibilizer were prepared and treated by electron beam radiation. Thermal stability and mechanical properties were studied, showing that thermosetting rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers with excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability may be obtained by β-irradiation. The irradiated ternary blends displayed high break elongation values, similar to other thermoplastic rubbers based on EPDM or EPR materials. On the other hand, the Shore D hardness, tensile strength, high-temperature behavior, compression set and reprocessing ability were found to be clearly dependent on the metallocene polymer used as bulk phase and the irradiation dose employed.