SURFACE GRAFT-POLYMERIZATION ONTO SILICONE

A method was developed for surface graft polymerization onto silicone. A silicone prepolymer carrying vinyl groups, which can be cured by a free-radical mechanism, was used. Acrylamide can be easily graft polym erized by simply heating the films made of a mixture of the silicone p repolymer and peroxide in an acrylamide monomer solution using an auto clave. Any complicated procedures, such as thorough degassing of the s ilicone films and the monomer solution, and sealing them into a glass ampoule, are not necessary. The grafted layer uniformly covered the si licone surface. The surface properties of the silicone become hydrophi lic and slippery after grafting of the poly (acrylamide). (C) 1993 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.