Grafting of polypropylene fibers. I. Radiation grafting of vinyl monomers,dyeing, and hydrophilic characteristics of the grafted polymer

Radiation-initiated grafting of methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and vinyl acetate on polypropylene fibers and the moisture content and dyeing characteristics of the grafted fibers have been reported. The extent of grafting with methacrylic acid is quite large when compared to acrylonitrile and vinyl acetate. The grafted fibers show an increase in moisture content with increase in the amount of graft. In general, the dyeability with disperse dyes increases due to grafting. In the case of cationic dyes, the polypropylene fibers grafted with methacrylic acid and acrylonitrile alone could be dyed.