Fabrication of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer/polyamide/modified sepiolite composite with improved physical properties via e-beam irradiation

Highlights: • The surface modification of sepiolite was carried out with VTES. • VTES was used as a grafting and compatibilizing agent. • Irradiation improved the mechanical properties of modified sepiolite/EVA/tPA composites up to dose of 250 kGy. • The modified sepiolite/EVA/tPA (70/30/5) composites appeared more stable to irradiation than the other composites. The effects of silanized sepiolite (SP) and electron beam (e-beam) irradiation on the physico-mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/ternary polyamide (tPA) composites were studied. SP was silanized with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) to enhance the dispersion and compatibility of the inorganic filler into the EVA/tPA matrix. The crosslinking of EVA/tPA by e-beam irradiation was carried out ranging from 50 to 250 kGy. The prepared composite films were characterized for change in morphology, mechanical properties, crosslinking effect on crystallinity and swelling using various established analytical techniques. Experimental results indicated that tensile strength of irradiated composite EVA/tPA/m-SP5 (70/30/5) was 3 times higher than that of virgin composite film at an absorbed dose of 250 kGy. The storage modulus of EVA/tPA/m-SP5 (70/30/5) composite film was significantly increased with the increase of absorbed dose. However, melting and crystallization temperature of EVA/tPA composites slightly decreased with the increase of absorbed dose. Moreover, the modification of SP with VTES and irradiated composite films were subjected to oil swelling studies.