Investigation of nano-size montmorillonite on electron beam irradiated flame retardant polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate blends

This study aims at investigating the effects of montmorillonite (MMT) and electron beam irradiation on alumina trihydrate (ATH) added low density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate (LDPE–EVA) blends. The nano-size MMT was used to improve the flammability and mechanical properties of the ATH added LDPE–EVA blends. The samples were irradiated at the dosage range 0–250 kGy using electron beam accelerator. The limiting oxygen index test (LOI) revealed that the incorporation of MMT into ATH added LDPE–EVA blends could improve the flammability up to 28.4 LOI%. The application of irradiation effect also improved the flame retardancy of the blends for ∼2 LOI% compared to un-irradiated samples. The addition of MMT loading levels from 10 to 20 phr exhibited reinforcing effect for 10.3–14.6% in tensile strength. On the other hand, the increasing of MMT loading levels has gradually decreased the surface and volume resistance of ATH added LDPE–EVA blends. The increase in irradiation dosages from 0 to 150 kGy was found to slightly decrease the surface and volume resistivity of the ATH added LDPE–EVA samples especially at high loading of MMT. The enhancement of mobility of MMT ionic in polymer matrix could lead to the reduction of the surface and volume resistivity. Consequently, this study has demonstrated that addition of MMT and electron beam irradiation to ATH added LDPE–EVA blends have resulted better flammability, mechanical and electrical properties of ATH added LDPE–EVA blends.

► Investigating montmorillonite (MMT) on electron beam irradiated polymer blend.
► Flammability of irradiated polymer blend reduced by incorporation of MMT.
► MMT interacts with crosslinking network to enhance mechanical/electrical properties.
► Observed superior morphology between MMT and polymer blend crosslinking network.