Author(s)

Haydar U. Zaman, Mubarak A. Khan, Ruhul A. Khan

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Gelatin films were prepared by casting. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb) of the gelatin films were found to be 46 MPa and 3.5%, respectively. Effect of gamma radiation (Co-60) on the thermo-mechanical properties of the gelatin films was studied. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was added to the gelatin during casting varying (10% - 30% by weight) and found to increase the TS significantly. Then the films were irradiated and found further increase of TS. Thermo-mechanical properties of HEMA blended gelatin films were compared with those of the pure gelatin films. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the gelatin/HEMA films were also measured using thermo mechanical analyzer and found opposite trend with comparison of glass point.

Gelatin; HEMA; Gamma Irradiation; Thin Film

Zaman, H. , Khan, M. and Khan, R. (2012) Studies on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Gelatin Based Films Using 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate by Gamma Radiation. Open Journal of Composite Materials, 2, 15-21. doi: 10.4236/ojcm.2012.21003.