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Effect of gamma irradiation on titanium dioxide-filled polymer composites in cable insulation applications

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the effect of gamma irradiation on TiO2-filled silicon rubber (SiR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) polymer composite material for cable insulation purposes. SiR-EPDM polymers at different blend ratios were used in sample preparations. TiO2 filler with different particle sizes and concentrations was incorporated into these blends. The samples were subjected to 25, 100 and 200 Mrad of gamma doses. The volume resistivity of all virgin and gamma-irradiated samples was found to be greater than 108 Ωm. The minimum and maximum range of Shore durometer hardness for virgin samples measured 32–61 and upon gamma-irradiation it was increased to 65–93. Enhancement in tensile strength was observed for EPDM-rich samples when irradiated to 25 and 100 Mrad. EPDM-rich samples retained 50% of their absolute elongation after irradiation. The elemental composition and atomic weight percentage of samples were obtained using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analysis indicated the presence of new functional groups, such as carbonyl, silicon compounds and titanium oxides in gamma-irradiated samples. Newly identified functional groups revealed that the chain scission and crosslinking reaction had occurred upon gamma-irradiation. The embrittlement of 5 and 10% (by weights) of low density TiO2-filled SiR-rich samples was due to oxidative degradation upon irradiation. The 5% by weight of high density TiO2-filled EPDM-rich sample showed better mechanical integrity upon irradiation when compared to other irradiated samples. The occurrence of crosslinking reaction in gamma exposed samples enhanced their electro-mechanical property.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by SSN Trust (Ltr. dt. 24.10.2017) in completing the research work. The authors express their gratitude to Prof. R. Baskaran, Head, Radiological Safety Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, India for granting permission to utilize the gamma source facility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai, 603110, India

    Vijayalakshmi Sarangapani & Deepalaxmi Rajamanickam

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  1. Vijayalakshmi Sarangapani
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  2. Deepalaxmi Rajamanickam
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Correspondence to Vijayalakshmi Sarangapani.

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Sarangapani, V., Rajamanickam, D. Effect of gamma irradiation on titanium dioxide-filled polymer composites in cable insulation applications. Iran Polym J 31, 809–820 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-022-01030-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-022-01030-2

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