Crafting of maleic anhydride onto polypropylene by reactive processing. I.Effect of maleic anhydride and peroxide concentrations on the reaction

Grafting reactions were performed in a Haake torque rheometer, according to a central composite experimental design, where the maleic anhydride and pe roxide concentrations, rotor speed, and reaction time were varied. The 27 f ormulations were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and melt-flow index measurements (MFI). An increase in peroxide concentration c aused an increase in the percentage of reacted maleic anhydride and in MFI. The effect of initial maleic anhydride concentration presented different t ypes of behavior, depending on the peroxide level. (C) 1999 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.