Mechanical and thermal properties and morphological studies of 10 MeV electron beam irradiated LDPE/hydroxyapatite nano-composite

In this work the nano-composite samples were prepared using the LDPE filled with different weight percentages of hydroxyapatite powder which was synthesized via hydrolysis method. The samples were subjected to irradiation under 10 MeV electron beam in 75–250 kGy doses. Mechanical and thermal properties as well as the morphology of the nano-composite samples were investigated and compared. The hot-set and swelling tests confirmed the radiation crosslinking induced in the polymer matrix especially between the matrix and reinforcement phase. The result indicates that the mechanical and thermal parameters are strongly dependent on the hydroxyapatite content in comparison to radiation.

► LDPE/HAP nano-composite samples were prepared with different wt% of HAP. ► The samples were subjected to irradiation under 10 MeV EB in different doses. ► Mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were investigated and compared. ► The morphology of the nano-composite samples was also studied. ► Mechanical and thermal parameters are strongly dependent on the HAP content.