Development of reinforced hydrogels - I. Radiation induced graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate on non-woven polypropylene fabric

Polypropylene (PP) fibers were grafted with methylmethacrylate. Effects of direct and pre-irradiation method and monomer concentration on the degree of grafting were investigated. The grafted PP fibers were characterized by swelling measurements, IR spectroscopy and by its mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that the direct method was more efficient than the indirect or pre-irradiation method and the monomer concentration for highest degree of grafting was 40% of MMA. Mechanical properties (tensile strength) and thermal stability decrease with grafting yield. Those changes were related to degradation of tie molecules between crystals and formation of rigid branches of PMMA on PP amorphous phase