Kugana Ellangovan, Norazrina Mat Jali, Nor Azwin Shukri, Mohd Taufiq Ishak, A’Liya Abdul Laziz, Siti Khadijah Che Osmi, Sri Rizki Putri Primandari
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different electron beam irradiation doses on the degree of PVC crosslinking. The PVC nanocomposites were created by the melt blending of Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and Aluminium Trihydrate (ATH) and then treated with electron beam irradiation doses of 0, 20, 40, and 60 kGy to achieve crosslinking. To measure the degree of crosslinking, a gel content test was carried out with 0.20 g taken from each of the samples. The mechanical properties of PVC, such as its tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus, were then investigated using a Universal testing machine. Next, a measurement of the PVC breakdown voltage was performed using a breakdown voltage tester with the ASTM standard D1816. Based on the experiment carried out, the results of the gel content test showed that PVC-FR3 with 5 phr TMPTA, 5 phr ATH, and a 20 kGy irradiation dose provided the optimal conditions for desirable crosslinking. This result achieved the JASO D11 standard, which requires more than 40% degree of crosslinking. The ultimate tensile strength was higher at 60 kGy, reaching 31 MPa. Therefore, this study helps determine the suitable irradiation dose to enhance crosslinking and increase tensile strength as well as the breakdown voltage of irradiated PVC. © 2025, National University of Malaysia. All rights reserved.
Faculty of Engineering, National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia; Radiation and Process Technology Department, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Air Tawar Barat, Padang, 25171, Indonesia
