**2. Experimental**

### **2.1. Preparation of SiR–EPDM blends**

Commercially, available SiR and EPDM were used. Type of SiR-polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS). The composition of EPDM is ethylene-65%; propylene-25%; diene monomer-10%. Diene type is ethylidene norbornene (ENB). They are supplied by M/S Joy Rubbers, India. The five different compositions of SiR–EPDM blends were prepared [1–4, 9].


### **2.2. Electron beam irradiation**

The five different compositions of SiR–EPDM blends were irradiated up to 5, 15 and 25 Mrad doses using an electron beam accelerator of 1.5 MeV rating at M/S Siechem Industries, Pondicherry, India.
