Property modification of polypropylene fiber by radiation graft co-polymerization

Graft co-polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and the acrylamide onto polypropylene (PP) fibers using pre-irradiation of γ-rays was studied. Characterization by FTIR showed that monomers were grafted onto the PP fibers. Results of the experiments with the grafted PP fibers shoed that the grafting ratio could be improved by increasing the monomer concentration and absorbed dose of the grafting system. At 70 degree C, the grafting reaction was finished in about 4 hours. The grafting ratio could be as high as 200% by properly selecting the reaction conditions. Moisture absorption property of the PP fibers was improved. (authors)