Large pulsed electron beam surface treatment of translucent PMMA

Abstract

A large pulsed electron beam (LPEB) was used to modify the surface properties of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sample. Translucent PMMA samples were fabricated using a conventional milling process. Then, the surface was irradiated with an energy density of 2 to 4 J/cm2 by a large electron beam, 60 mm in size. Surface property characterization of the irradiated PMMA samples was performed using an ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectrophotometer, atomic force microscopy, a form tracer, and drop-shape analysis and compared with the non-irradiated surface. It was observed that the visible light transmission of the prepared PMMA sample was enhanced by 40%. The surface roughness of the PMMA sample after irradiation was also reduced by 30%, compared with the baseline case with no irradiation. Additionally, the water contact angle increased as the number of LPEB shots increased.