The effect of electron beam irradiation on the dispersion and properties of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposites

s Poly(ethylene- co -vinyl acetate) (EVA)/clay nanocomposites were prepared using a melt mixer and then crosslinked with electron beam irradiation. To improve the dispersion of clay in the EVA matrix, high-intensity ultrasound was imposed during mixing. The tensile strength increased and the elongation at break decreased with the irradiation dose, respectively. The tensile strength increased remarkably when ultrasound was applied for better dispersion. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of EVA/clay nanocomposites increased with the irradiation dose and the dispersity of clay. The improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties could be attributed to the enhanced dispersion of clay and the network formed by radiationinduced crosslinking.