Thermogravimetric studies on electron beam initiated grafting of triallyl cyanurate onto polyethylene

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) containing different levels of triallyl cyanurate (TAC) have been prepared in a Brabender Plasticorder at 120 degC. The moulded samples in the form of rectangular compression sheet were irradiated under electron beam accelerator with different irradiation doses. Thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses of the irradiated samples grafted with TAC have been carried out in order to explore the decomposition behaviour and kinetics of decomposition under nitrogen atmosphere. Initial decomposition temperature (Ti), temperature at which 50% weight loss takes place (T50), final decomposition temperature (Tf) and the kinetic parameters evaluated from TGA traces of samples at different radiation doses (constant TAC level) and at different levels of TAC (constant radiation dose) have been reported. The effect of radiation dose and TAC level on the grafting of TAC onto polyethylene have been explained on the basis of degradation characteristics of irradiated samples. Kinetic studies show that the degradation of the irradiated samples follow first order reaction kinetics. Activation energies of degradation have been determined using McCarty and Green's method. Activation energy of the irradiated samples increases with the increasing radiation dose and also with increasing level of TAC. (author). 3 tabs