FEATURES OF GRAFT COPOLYMER FORMATION THROUGH REACTION OF FUNCTIONALIZED POLYOLEFINS WITH POLY-EPSILON-CAPROLATAM

The reaction in the melt of polyolefins containing 2-diethylsuccinate groups (DES) with poly-epsilon-caprolactam (PA6) to give a graft copol ymer was investigated under different conditions. Even using a large e xcess of DES groups os-er the PA6 terminal amino groups the graft copo lymer yield resulted only partial thus suggesting a kinetic control of tile reaction. The effect of various catalysts was then examined taki ng into account results obtained in a model reaction between a low mol ecular weight amine and diethylsuccinate. The results are discussed in terms oi side reactions and miscibility of the pristine polymers.