Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation on Peeling Resistance of Laminated Sheet of High Strength Polypropylene (PP) and Bio-Adaptable Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

Abstract

The effects of homogeneous low voltage electron beam irradiation (HLEBI) on the adhesive force (^maxF_p, ^oF_p and ^minF_p) and its energy (^oE_p) of peeling resistance of laminated sheets of bio-adaptable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with transparency and high strength polypropylene (PP) without glue but with sterilization were investigated. Although both ^maxF_p and ^oE_p were 14 N·m⁻¹ and 0.21 J·m⁻¹ before treatment, HLEBI enhanced the ^maxF_p and ^oE_p up to the maximum values of 34 N·m⁻¹ and 0.89 J·m⁻¹ of the laminated sheets irradiated at 0.30 MGy, respectively. On the other hand, additional HLEBI reduces the ^maxF_p, ^oF_p, ^minF_p and ^oE_p of laminated sheets irradiated at more than 0.22 to 0.65 MGy, although they were apparently larger than those before treatment. In order to investigate the influence of EB irradiation on ^maxF_p, ^oF_p, ^minF_p and ^oE_p, electron spin resonance (ESR) signals related to dangling bonds were observed. When HLEBI generated dangling bonds in PP and PDMS, the dangling bonds probably served as reactive and bonding sites for each polymer at the interface. Consequently, HLEBI from 0.22 to 0.65 MGy reinforced the ^maxF_p, ^oF_p, ^minF_p and ^oE_p of the laminated sheets. Therefore, it was concluded that HLEBI was probably a useful tool for quick lamination of bio-adaptable PDMS and high strength PP.