MECHANICAL PROPERTY STUDIES OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-GRAFTED VISCOSE FIBERS

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on viscose fibers (grade 1.5 x 51 mm; Nagda; grey staple; bright bleached) was studied u nder a photoactive condition with visible light using conventional Moh r's salt-potassium persulphate as the redox initiator. The mechanical properties of the grafted viscose fiber, such as tenacity, breaking ex tension, and initial modulus were studied. The effect of monomer-solve nt combination on viscoelastic nature (elasticity work recovery and st ress relaxation) of the grafted fibers have also been explained. The m oisture regain characteristics of the grafted fibers were also studied , (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.