Swelling characteristics and application of gamma-radiation on irradiated SBR-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) blends

Blends of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) with varying loading degree from 60 wt% to 100 wt% of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have been prepared. Gamma radiation vulcanization of prepared blends was carried out with doses varying between 50 kGy and 250 kGy. Mechanical properties, namely, tensile strength (Ts), elongation at break (E_b) and hardness were followed up as a function of loading degree of CMC and gamma irradiation dose. Moreover, physical properties, specifically swelling number (SN) and gel fraction % (GF%) were undertaken. Results obtained showed an improvement in mechanical as well as in physical properties with increasing either CMC content or dose of irradiation. Thermal properties namely thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out.