Application properties and microscopic analysis of elastomer samples cross-linked by gamma radiation.

Natural rubber is an important industrial material derived from caoutchouc trees (Hevea Brasiliensis). By chemical composition, it is a polymer material that is mostly cis-1,4-polyisoprene. It falls into the category of elastomers, which enables its wide usage due to its specific characteristics. Polymer materials include plastic, rubber, and glue and are the most important technical materials. Rubbers are used in the production of conveyor belts, shock absorbers, coatings, fenders, engines, and device parts. They are also used in composite materials such as threads, particles, and matrix materials. By analyzing the properties of natural rubber, the subject of the research is defined, i.e., the characterization of natural rubber samples and their connection with macroscopic properties. In accordance with the subject of the research, in this paper, tests are carried out on samples of natural rubber, which are obtained in the form of thin films from latex and cross-linked by gamma radiation. A total dose of 300 kGy is applied to the samples in the state of uniaxial deformation. In this sense, a hypothesis is put forward that involves examining the influence of radiation dose on the morphology of natural rubber samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The investigation aims to emphasize the importance of the method in acquiring a comprehensive characterization of the material samples, which are used both in maritime areas and in other fields of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]