SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF ACRYLONITRILE-EPDM-N-VINYLCARBAZOLE GRAFTTERPOLYMER

A graft terpolymer of acrylonitrile (AN) and N-vinylcarbazole (NVC) on to ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) was synthesized in tolue ne using benzoyl peroxide. The effects of EPDM content, mole ratio of NVC to AN, reaction time, reaction temperature, and initiator concentr ation in the graft copolymerization were examined. The synthesized AN- EPDM-NVC graft terpolymers (AEVC) were identified by infrared (IR) and H-1-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra. The thermal stability, tensile strength, and light resistance of AEVC were investigated by us ing a Fade-o-Meter, thermogravimetric analyzer, and tensile tester. It was found that the heat resistance of AEVC is considerably better tha n that of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer. (C) 1995 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc.