CHARACTERIZATION OF PREIRRADIATION GRAFTING OF ACRYLAMIDE ONTO NYLON-6 FABRIC

The graft copolymerization bf aqueous solutions containing acrylamide (AAm) onto nylon-6 fabric using the preirradiation technique has been studied. It was found that the addition of 0.05 wt% of ammonium iron I I sulphate reduced effectively the homopolymer formation of AAm. The d ifferent factors that may influence the grafting reaction were investi gated. The dependence of the grafting rate on the monomer concentratio n and the preirradiation dose was found to be 1.3 and 0.98 order, resp ectively. The study of the effect of reaction temperature revealed tha t the calculated overall activation energy for the graft polymerizatio n of AAm onto nylon-6 are 55.3 and 32.4 kJ/mole below and above 60 deg rees C, respectively. The nylon-6 fabric grafted with acrylamide showe d a significant increase in hydrophilic properties in terms of moistur e and water regain as well as water absorption. Moreover, these proper ties were greatly enhanced when nylon-6 graft copolymers were dissolve d in formic acid and subsequently converted into films. In addition, t he dyeing properties of the produced graft copolymers indicate good dy e affinity for selected dyestuffs. Finally, the values of the melting point, extent of crystallinity and glass transition were also investig ated. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd