Modification of silicon rubber by the graft polymerization technique using the 60 Co pre-irradiation method

Modified polymeric substrates can be attained by graft polymerization techniques, involving either simultaneous irradiation or pre-irradiation method. In the pre-irradiation method the polymeric substrate is irradiated in the presence of atmospheric oxygen to form peroxide groups onto the substrate, which in contact with vinylic monomer initiates the graft polymerization. In this work, silastic tubes were irradiated in 60 Co source. The acrylamide monomer has hydrophilic properties and rapidly homo polymerizes. Certain concentration of cupric ions inhibits homo polymerization and permits the graft polymerization to occur. It was studied the irradiation time that varied from 24 to 360 h at the dose rate of 0.66 kGy/h; the reaction time up to 48 h; the reaction temperature from 37 to 80 0 C; the acrylamide concentration from 1 to 50% and the copper concentration in the range of 0,01 to 0,5 molar. (author)