GRAFTING OF MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE ONTO POLYPROPYLENE - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

Isotactic polypropylene was grafted with maleic anhydride using benzoy l peroxide as an initiator and toluene as a solvent. Effects of variou s parameters such as monomer and initiator concentration, reaction tim e, and reaction temperature on percentage grafting were studied. Effec t of various solvents on extent of grafting was also studied. The maxi mum extent of grafting achieved was 5.3%. The graft copolymers were ch aracterized by i.r., thermal, viscometric, and contact angle studies. Improved thermal stability and decreased intrinsic viscosity and criti cal surface tension were observed for graft copolymers. (C) 1994, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.