STYRENE-ASSISTED MELT FREE-RADICAL GRAFTING OF GLYCIDYL METHACRYLATE ONTO POLYPROPYLENE

The free radical grafting reactivity of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on to polypropylene (PP) in the molten state is low. This article shows t hat adding styrene as a second monomer (or comonomer) increases both t he rate and yield of GMA grafting and reduces PP chain scission. The p roposed mechanism is that when St is added to the PP/GMA/peroxide graf ting system, St reacts first with PP macroradicals to form stable styr yl macroradicals. These latter then react (or copolymerize) with GMA t o form GMA grafted PP. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.