Influence of electron radiation on adhesion of some polymer films to acrylic adhesives

Influence of the electron radiation on adhesion properties of the films made of low-density polyethylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate was investigated. The films were irradiated with doses of up to 500 kGy, using a high-energy electron beam. The adhesion strength of bonds between the films and acrylic adhesive was measured by means of the 180° peel-off test. For all the films, it was found that this strength increased upon irradiation with the doses of the whole range applied, which suggested that the adhesion properties of the films improved as well. Thus, the radiational modification of polymer films by means of the high-energy electron beam enables one to obtain durable bonds between the films and adhesive without necessity to modify the film surface layer with another method.