Methacryloyl carbamate functionalized ethylene-propylene copolymer

In order to introduce a masked isocyanate functional group into ethylene pr opylene copolymer (EPM), methacryloyl carbamate (MAC) was synthesized. Graf ting of MAC onto EPM was performed by the solution process with the additio n of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an initiator. The efficiency of grafting ten ds to decrease with increasing MAC or DCP content and increasing the polari ty of solvent; the optimal condition for the present reaction system appear ed to be at a low DCP level, a moderate MAC loading and nonpolar solvent. I n dynamic rheological measurement, significant degradation and crosslinking of EPM do not arise during the grafting reaction. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.