Significance of grafting in curing processes initiated by UV, excimer and ionising radiation sources

The grafting of a typical methacrylate monomer (MMA) to polypropylene (PPE) and cellulose initiated by UV and ionising radiation is reported. The effe ct of additives which constitute components in radiation curing on the graf ting process is examined. Additives studied include photoinitiators (PIs), multifunctional acrylates and methacrylates and acrylate oligomers. Synergi stic effects when these additives are combined in the same solution are rep orted. The photografting studies have been extended to include grafting wit h charge transfer (CT) complexes involving donor/acceptor (DA) monomers to PPE, cellulose and wool. The importance of this work in conventional and PI free curing is discussed, particularly the significance of concurrent graf ting during curing. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.