Study on the physical and mechanical properties of electron-beam-irradiated Vinyl ester/TiO2 nanocomposites

The effect of electron beam irradiation on the physical and mechanical properties of vinyl ester nanocomposites containing various amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles was investigated. The fracture toughness, surface hardness, and water uptake measurements were carried out to investigate alterations in the physical and mechanical properties owing to electron beam exposure. In this regard, it was attempted to infer the impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on the structural changes varying the irradiation dose. The results were then explained based on crosslinking and chain scission phenomena. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the degree of TiO2 dispersion within the polymer matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:110–116, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers