The effect of beta irradiation on morphology and micro hardness of polypropylene thin layers

This experimental study describes the influence of radiation cross-linking to the structure and properties of polypropylene. The structure of polypropylene was assessed using microhardness measurement. It was verified that the structure influences the resulting material parameters. Polypropylene modified by radiation cross-linking at doses of 30, 45, 60 and 90kGy shows substantial changes of the structure and hence changes to resulting mechanical and micromechanical properties. The change of micromechanical properties is greatly manifested mainly in the surface layer of the modified polypropylene where a significant growth of microhardness values can be observed. The changes were examined and confirmed by X-ray diffraction and measurement on Transmission electron microscopy. ► Polypropylene micromechanical properties improvement by irradiation. ► Surface hardness improvement of irradiated polypropylene. ► Surface stiffness improvement of irradiated polypropylene.