Effect of electron beam irradiation on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, heat-shrinkable and morphological properties of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ethylene butene copolymer (EBC) blends

The properties of LLDPE and EBC blends may be interesting to both industries and researchers. Hence LLDPE/EBC blends are prepared in varying ratios using melt mixing process. Tensile strength and Young's modulus are increased with LLDPE content due to higher crystallinity, while % elongation improves with higher EBC content due to higher amorphousness. Electron beam irradiated blends with more LLDPE show greater gel content, i.e., higher degree of crosslinking and better mechanical strength, while EBC-rich blends, un-crosslinked and crosslinked, exhibit better shrinkability. This attractive combination of properties demonstrates the potential of crosslinked blends for various applications.