Radiation degradation of blends polypropylene/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)

Physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of irradiated electron beam polypropylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate (PP/EVA) blends and individual components were investigated. Although oxidation of alkyl radicals in the blends proceeds slower than in PP, the total oxidation effect monitored by content of oxygen-containing groups shows opposite tendency. Blending with EVA does not affect degree of PP crystallinity. The enthalpy of melting and crystallization of the blends reveal phase separation between dispersed copolymer and PP matrix. In all studied blends, degradation prevails over tendency of EVA to cross-linking.