RADIATION CROSSLINKING OF BIODEGRADABLE POLY(BUTYLENE SUCCINATE) AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

Abstract

Poly(butylene succinate), (PBS) with different molecular weight was γ-irradiated at different temperatures and various doses. PBS with high molecular weight and smaller peak area of crystal melting gave the highest gel content at the same temperatures and dose. A two-step irradiation (irradiation in molten state after irradiation at room temperature) gave the highest gel content in different conditions. This is due to the formation of network structure by pre-irradiation at room temperature that leads to less degradation. PBS prepared by two step irradiation was effective for improvement of heat stability because of high gel content formation. Unirradiated PBS sheets broke immediately at 110°, while the irradiated sample (gel fraction, 50%) by a two step-method, did not break even up to 200 minutes at 130°C. The PBS sheets are biodegradable even after crosslinking.

Keywords:

• Poly(butylene succinate)(Bionolle)
• Radiation crosslinking
• Heat resistability
• Biodegradation
• Molten state

Acknowledgments