Grafting of maleic anhydride onto acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene terpolymer: Synthesis and characterization

The graft copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MAH) onto a acrylonitrile-b utadiene-styrene (ABS! terpolymer was carried out using benzoyl peroxide (B PO) as an initiator and toluene as a solvent. The effects of various parame ters such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, reaction time, and temperature on graft yield were studied. Addition occurs in the butadi ene region of the polymer, either by the loss of vinylic hydrogen and subse quent radical formation and addition of monomer or by addition to the doubl e bond. The graft copolymers were characterized by infrared, thermogravimet ric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal stability was improved and T-g was increased.