Grafting of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate with Urea on to Gelatin Film by Gamma Radiation

Gelatin films were prepared by dissolving gelatin granules in hot distilled water (90C) followed by casting. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM) and elongation at break (Eb %) of the films were found to be 27.0 MPa, 100 MPa and 4%, respectively. Gelatin films were irradiated under Co-60 source at different doses (50-1000 krad) and it was found that TS and TM of the films increased up to 48% and 120%, respectively at 250 krad dose. Urea (1-5 wt%) was added to the gelatin solution and films were prepared by casting, then irradiated and found that TS of the 2% urea containing gelatin film was 44.3 MPa which is about 64% enhancement of TS compared to raw gelatin films at 100 krad. Gelatin-urea films were then soaked in 1-10 wt% of EHA (2-Ethylhexyl acrylate) solutions at varying soaking time and irradiated under gamma radiation up to 500 krad. The highest TS and Eb were found to be 57 MPa and 11%, respectively for the 3% EHA and 3 min soaking time at 100 krad radiation dose.