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The use of gamma irradiation to prepare ureaformaldehyde/acrylic acid copolymer gypsum composites for use in construction applications
Author(s) -
ElNahas H. H.,
Abdel Aal S. E.,
Taher N. H.,
Gad Y. H.,
Dessouki A. M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.22027
Subject(s) - materials science , absorption of water , composite material , acrylic acid , copolymer , acrylic resin , monomer , irradiation , thermosetting polymer , mold , polymer , physics , nuclear physics , coating
Abstract Thermoset/thermoplast and gypsum copolymer composites were prepared as ureaformaldehyde (UF) copolymerized with acrylic acid monomer at various gamma radiation doses, where the latter monomer produced the greatest improvement in mold stability as cracks treatment, weight loss, hardness, and water absorption. This is due to water absorption showing an increase in water uptake for UF‐gypsum composites containing high amounts of acrylic acid monomer copolymerized through the irradiation process, producing a hydrophilic mold able to retain water from evaporation and weight loss, thus obtaining an unshrinkable crackless mold. The influence of acrylic acid and the gamma irradiation process on water absorption, gelation time, weight loss, surface hardness, and compressive strength was studied. The results showed improvement of mechanical flexibility with a reduced sensitivity to cracks indicating the possibility of using these improved molds after mixing with gypsum in the field of construction as inner partition panels and tile seals. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4491–4498, 2006