Low density polyethylene with an isocyanate functional group

In order to introduce an isocyanate (NCO) functional group into low density polyethylene (LDPE), grafting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) combin ed with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) on to LDPE was carried out in soluti on using a radical initiator. The spectra of infrared (i.r.) and proton nuc lear magnetic resonance for HEMA combined with IPDI showed that the hydroxy l group of HEMA and the NCO group of IPDI were reacted to form urethane, an d the secondary NCO group preferentially reacted over the primary NCO group . From the i.r. spectra of the grafted LDPE, it was found that NCO groups w ere introduced into LDPE. Thermal stability of the grafted LDPE was investi gated by differential scanning calorimeter analysis, and rheological values were observed to evaluate processability. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publish ers.