Local mechanical properties of irradiated cross-linked filled poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT)

Abstract

This article deals with the measurement of the mechanical properties of a filled poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT+35 % GF (glass fibres)) surface layer modified with beta radiation. Injection-moulded test bodies were subsequently irradiated with beta radiation using doses of (0, 33, 66 and 99) kGy. The measurement of the mechanical properties was realized with an ultra nano-hardness tester. The results of the measurements showed a considerable increase in the micromechanical properties (indentation hardness, indentation elastic modulus) when low doses of beta radiation were used. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of ionizing radiation at different doses on the ultra nano-hardness of the surface layer of poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and compare these results with those for non-irradiated samples. The study was carried out due to the ever-growing use of this type of polymer, poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT).