EFFECTS OF GAMMA RADIATION IN POLYMER BLENDS, IN COMPOSITES WITH MICRO AND NANO FILLERS AND IN FUNCTIONALIZED POLYOLEFINS

Abstract

Gamma radiation is commonly used in the sterilization of some medical articles made of plastics, because it decomposes the DNA molecules of living organisms. Nonetheless, this type of radiation can produce changes in the molecular structure of polymers, which result in changes in their macroscopic properties. In this review, some published works  of  our  group  regarding  the  changes  in  the  mechanical  and  thermal  behavior  produced  by  irradiation  of thermoplastics such as polyethylenes and polypropylenes; of composites of polyolefins with organic fillers such as sisal fiber and woodflour, or with hydroxyapatite and marine residues for biomedical applications, will be presented. Other topics included in this review are the effects produced by irradiation in blends of polymers with thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-butylene-styrene (SBS); of blends of polypropylene with polystyrene, or polyethylene with polyamide 6 and with other polyolefins. Additionally, some works where gamma radiation was used to induce the functionalization of polyolefins will be described.