Influence of electron beam irradiated on the surface properties of polyamide measured by micro-indentation test

Cross-linking is a process in which polymer chains are associated through chemical bonds. Radiation, which penetrated through specimens and reacted with the cross-linking agent, gradually formed cross-linking (3D net), first in the surface layer and then in the total volume, which resulted in considerable changes in specimen behaviour. This paper studies the effect of different doses of ionizing beta radiation on the micro-mechanical properties of commercially available polyamide. The measured results indicate, that electron beam irradiation is very effective tool for improvement of surface properties of PA6. The micro-mechanical properties after irradiated surface treatment was increased up to 24 % compared to non-irradiated surface