Modification of some properties of polyamide-6 by electron beam induced grafting

Electron irradiation, applied on its own or in combination with other physical and chemical treatments, can result in radiation damage to materials. One category of such pursuits is electron beam radiation processing technologies, the intent being to produce favourable modification of materials. Study has been made herein of the use of accelerator-generated electron beams for the induced grafting of acrylic and methacrylic acids and acrylamide onto polyamide-6, the latter being popularly used in the textiles industry. Samples of polyamide-6, in the form of rectangular sheets of dimension, 10 cm x 10 cm or granules, have been irradiated using a 3 GHz travelling wave electron accelerator of energy 6.5 MeV. Results show that the degree of grafting is dependent upon radiation dose and extent of monomers dilution. Modifications have been observed in the melting temperature of the crystalline phase, glass transition temperature, mechanical parameters and the reticulation of polyamide.