Electron beam irradiation of polycarbonate reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber

The effects of electron beam irradiation and polycarbonate (PC) concentration on the properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were investigated. The electron beam irradiation doses were from 25 to 150 kGy, whereas the PC contents were from 10 to 30 phr. It was found that the mechanical properties of NBR such as tensile strength (TS), hardness and tear strength (Ts) were remarkably improved by the incorporation of PC, while elongation at break (Eb) and thermal properties were decreased. However, the improvement in TS of NBR/PC blends was strongly dependant on PC content, in which maximum improvements need higher doses. On the other hand, the maximum value of Ts for all the blend ratios was at 25 kGy, whereas the hardness increases with increasing irradiation dose. Moreover, it was observed that the fuel resistance of NBR/PC was higher than NBR and decreases by increasing the content of PC.