GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHACRYLIC ACID MONOMERS ONTO POLYPROPYLENE FIBERS

In recent years, graft copolymerization has been widely used to insert various functional groups onto polymers. In our study, methacrylic acid monomers are grafted to polypropylene (PP) fibers to make them hydrophilic while maintaining their mechanical properties. Experiments are designed based on Taguchi method and influence of temperature, monomer concentration; crosslinker concentration and time of reaction are investigated. Grafting of methacrylic acid and divinyl benzene is investigated by FTIR spectra and confirmed by SEM micrographs. Tensile strength and toughness of specimens are measured and compared with raw fibers. The effects of grafting on the tensile strength and toughness of fibers are measured and the critical grafting degree to maintain tensile strength and toughness of fibers is defined.