CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF POLYMERIC HYDROCARBONS

Although polymeric hydrocarbons (PCH) carry no functions, they can be modified in many ways. Unsaturated PCH undergo addition reactions as h ydrogenation, halogenation, epoxidation and thiol addition. Saturated PCH can be substituted with various functions, notably halogen and chl orosulfonyl groups. All PCH can be modified, by a grafting mechanism, with functional monomers as maleic anhydride. Some modified PCH play a major role in multiphase systems as blends, rubber-modified thermopla stics and thermoplastic elastomers. Attractive grafting procedures inv olve in-situ grafting in PCH/monomer solutions and during reactive ble nding processes.