Abstract :
A copolymer of polyethylene–polypropylene PPrEPR.was irradiated using alpha particles under three different
atmospheres. First, samples were irradiated by alpha particles 4.3 MeV.in a gas-tight chamber under either dry or moist air.
Next, irradiation was carried out under a 4=10y4 Pa vacuum. Pristine and treated sample surfaces were studied by
Attenuated Total Reflectance infrared spectroscopy FT-IRrATR.. It was possible to ascertain that the chemical modifications
produced differ according to the atmosphere during irradiation. Under vacuum, vinylic bonds were created. In moist
air, carbonyl bonds were formed; and in dry air, both kinds of bonds were produced. In each case, a decrease in the number
of C`H bonds after irradiation was noted. As polypropylene is widely used in the automobile industry for parts like
dashboards and bumpers, this study could be useful for many of the industry’s applications. Indeed, it has been determined
that, along with chemical modifications generated from the surface of the irradiated copolymer, an increase in its surface free
energy results in greater wettability to certain liquids, such as water, formamide and diiodomethane. q2000 Elsevier Science
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