Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on Mechanical Properties of Copper (II) Oxide Added LDPE Composites Aged under Acidic Condition

In this study, the effect of aging time duration in acidic solution and electron beam irradiation on the physical and mechanical properties of copper (II) oxide added LDPE composites haven been investigated. The tensile strength of all (3 phr and 5 phr) copper (II) oxide added LDPE composites was gradually increased with increasing of electron beam irradiation dosages from 0 kGy to 200 kGy. The electron beam irradiation could induce the formation of crosslinking networks in LDPE matrix by increasing the resistance ability of LDPE matrix towards applied straining stress. The increasing of aging time duration in acidic condition up to 4 days has marginally reduced the tensile strength of all un-irradiated and irradiated all copper (II) oxide added LDPE composites. This might be attributed to the hydrochloric acid solution could degrade and breakdown the macromolecular chains in LDPE matrix and thus further reduce the tensile strength of copper (II) oxide added LDPE composites.