Grafting of maleic anhydride onto polypropylene by reactive processing. I. Effect of maleic anhydride and peroxide concentrations on the reaction

Grafting reactions were performed in a Haake torque rheometer, according to a central composite experimental design, where the maleic anhydride and peroxide concentrations, rotor speed, and reaction time were varied. The 27 formulations were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and melt‐flow index measurements (MFI). An increase in peroxide concentration caused an increase in the percentage of reacted maleic anhydride and in MFI. The effect of initial maleic anhydride concentration presented different types of behavior, depending on the peroxide level. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 247–255, 1999