High oil-absorptive composites based on 4-tert-butylstyrene-EPDM-divinylbenzene graft polymer

4-tert-Butylstyrene-EPDM-divinylbenzene graft polymer (PBED) was prepared b y graft crosslinking polymerization in toluene using BPO as an initiator. G el and sol of PBED were isolated by extraction with tetrahydrofuran (THF). Sol PBED can be reused as oil absorbent through crosslinking by ultraviolet irradiation. After swelling in oil, crosslinked polymers have poor gel str ength to be taken out of oil wholly at high absorbency, although they posse ss strong mechanical strength in their dry states. As known, composite tech nique is one of the useful methods for material reinforcement. Fibres, spon ges and non-woven fabrics were used as reinforcers or supporters in this wo rk. Oil absorbency was measured by method ASTM (F726-81) and swelling kinet ics of the composite was evaluated by an experimental equation. The gel str ength parameter S, the relaxation exponent n, and the fractal dimension df of polymer and some composites in pseudo-critical gel state were determined from oscillatory shear measurements by a dynamic rheometer. Mechanical pro perties and the morphologies of some composites were measured with a tensil e tester and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. (C) 2001 Society o f Chemical Industry.