Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a natural polymer with versatile properties.However, uncured NRL has low strength and limited practical use. Therefore, we utilized low-dose gamma irradiation to induce cross-linking in blended NRL/poly(styrene-block-isoprene-block-styrene) (SIS). Blends were prepared in various ratios, and the 70 NRL /30 SIS blend gave optimal mechanical properties. The 70 NRL /30 SIS blend was then irradiated from 4 to 16 kGy. An exposure of 12 kGy led to the highest tensile strength (4.49 MPa), Young's modulus (0.41 MPa), gel content (45%), and cross-link density (12.18 Â 10 À5 molÁcm À3 ).The results of study show irradiation has improved the crystallinity of the polymer blend, which has been determined by the formation of a new NRL crystal peak at 31.2 and the decrease of the crystallization temperature from 58 to 19 C due to strain-induced crystallization. Moreover, the radiation has trans-

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract