Khairul Zaman Mohd Dahlan

Cation exchange membranes by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto PFA copolymer films. I. Preparation and characterization of the graft copolymer

PFA-g-polystyrene graft copolymers were prepared by simultaneous radiation- induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluorovinyl ether) (PFA) films. The effects of grafting conditions such as monomer concentration, dose, and dose rate were investigated. Three solvents, i.e., methanol, benzene, and dichloromethane, were used as diluents in this grafting system. Of the three solvents employed, dichloromethane was found to greatly enhance the grafting process, and the degree of grafting increased with the increase of monomer concentration until it reached its highest value at a styrene concentration of 60 (vol %). The dependence of the initial rate of grafting on the monomer concentration was found to be of the order of 1.2. The degree of grafting was found to increase with the increase in irradiation dose, while it considerably decreased with the increase in dose rate. The formation of graft copolymers was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The structural investigation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the degree of crystallinity content of such graft copolymers decreases with the increase in grafting, and consequently, the mechanical properties of the graft copolymers were influenced to some extent. Both tensile strength and elongation percent decreased with the increase in the degree of grafting.

Electron irradiation effects on partially fluorinated polymer films: Structure-property relationships

Abstract The effects of electron beam irradiation on two partially fluorinated polymer films i.e. poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) copolymer (ETFE) are studied at doses ranging from 100 to 1200 kGy in air at room temperature. Chemical structure, thermal and mechanical properties of irradiated films are investigated. FTIR show that both PVDF and ETFE films undergo similar changes in their chemical structures including the formation of carbonyl groups and double bonding. The changes in melting and crystallisation temperatures ( T m and T c ) in both irradiated films are functions of irradiation dose and reflect the disorder in the chemical structure caused by the competition between crosslinking and chain scission. The heat of melting (Δ H m ) and the degree of crystallinity ( X c ) of PVDF films show no significant changes with the dose increase, whereas those of ETFE films are reduced rapidly after the first 100 kGy. The tensile strength of PVDF films is improved by irradiation compared to its rapid deterioration in ETFE films, which stemmed from the degradation prompted by the presence of radiation sensitive tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) comonomer units. The elongation at break of both films drops gradually with the dose increase indicating the formation of predominant crosslinked structures at high doses. However, the response of each polymer to crosslinking and main chain scission at various irradiation doses varies from PVDF to ETFE films.

Electron beam irradiation effects on ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer films

Abstract The effects of electron beam irradiation on ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) films were studied. Samples were irradiated in air at room temperature by a universal electron beam accelerator for doses ranging from 100 to 1200xa0kGy. Irradiated samples were investigated with respect to their chemical structure, thermal characteristics, crystallinity and mechanical properties using FTIR, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and universal mechanical tester. The interaction of electron irradiation with ETFE films was found to induce dose-dependent changes in all the investigated properties. A mechanism for electron-induced reactions is proposed to explain the structure-property behaviour of irradiated ETFE films.

Investigation of electron irradiation induced-changes in poly(vinylidene fluoride) films

The radiation-induced changes taking place in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films exposed to electron irradiation were investigated in correlation with the applied doses. Samples were irradiated in air at room temperature by a universal electron beam accelerator to doses in the range of 100-1200 kGy. Various properties of the irradiated PVDF films were studied using FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and universal mechanical tester. Unirradiated PVDF film was used as a reference. Electron irradiation was found to induce changes in physical, chemical, thermal, structural and mechanical properties of PVDF films and such changes vary depending on the irradiation dose.

Radiation crosslinked thermoplastics natural rubber (TPNR) foams

Thermoplastic natural rubber is gaining wider interest and like other thermoplastic elastomers, offers the processibility of thermoplastic as well as functional performances and properties of conventional thermoset rubbers. This paper describes an evaluation made of the suitability of foaming blends of natural rubber and EVA using chemical blowing agents. Crosslinking was achieved by exposing the TPNR to electron beam irradiation (EB) at 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 and 200 kGy doses. The relationships between foam density and concentration of blowing agent as well as foaming parameters such as time and temperature were evaluated.

New measurements concerning a non-resonant photo-activation cross-section for 111Cd

In recent years, several groups have reported measurement of a finite non-resonant photoactivation cross section for 115In. Present evaluations of this same parameter have made use of an irradiation arrangement and detector which differ from those of other groups. Our values for the resonant and non-resonant contribution to the photoactivation cross-section are (1.6±0.3)·10−28 cm2 keV and (4.0±0.9)·10−32 cm2, respectively, comparing favourably with counterpart results by TUSTONIC et al.5 of (1.3±0.1)·10−28 cm2 keV and (5.5±0.8)·10−32 cm2.

Application of radiation processing in asia and the pacific region: Focus on malaysia

Abstract Applications of radiation processing in Malaysia and other developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region is increasing as the countries move toward industrialisation. At present, there are more than 85 gamma facilities and 334 electron accelerators in Asia and the Pacific region which are mainly in Japan, Rep. of Korea and China. The main applications which are in the interest of the region are radiation sterilisation of medical products; radiation crosslinking of wire and cable, heat shrinkable film and tube, and foam; radiation curing of surface coatings, printing inks and adhesive; radiation vulcanisation of natural rubber latex; radiation processing of agro-industrial waste; radiation treatment of sewage sludge and municipal waste; food irradiation; tissue grafts and radiation synthesis of bioactive materials.