GRAFTING .3. COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE AND METHACRYLIC-ACID

The method of graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate on halogen‐containing polymer has been utilized for grafting of methyl methacrylate–methacrylic acid monomer pair onto poly(vinyl chloride) and chlorinated rubber. Substantial grafting could be obtained by using the method reported earlier. However, the compositions of the grafted chains are found to deviate appreciably from the compositions calculated from r1 and r2 values reported in literature. The reactivity ratios for this pair of monomers have been therefore evaluated using azobisisobutyronitrile and n‐butane thiol–dimethyl sulfoxide as initiators. The anomalies of the grafted chain compositions have been discussed and an explanation presented on preferential solvation. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.