Carrier‐free dyeing of radiation‐grafted polyester fabrics with disperse dyes

Carrier‐free dyeing of radiation‐grafted polyester fabrics with disperse red dye was studied in the temperature range 283–363 K. 1‐vinyl 2‐pyrrolidone (NVP), acrylic acid (AA) or their mixture was used to graft poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric. The effects of pH of the dye solution, graft yield (GY), dyeing time (t), dye concentration (C), and dyeing temperature (T) on the colour difference (CD) of PET fabric were studied. The best dyeing condition was achieved at pH 5.5. CD increases linearly with the increase in GY, with slopes depending on the type of grafted copolymer. CD increased rapidly as the dyeing time increased; this was followed by a relatively slow dyeing rate within a few minutes. The initial dyeing rate (R) was found to increase with an increase in C and T. The dyeing rates for all grafted samples followed 0.35‐order kinetics and are temperature‐independent. Average activation energy 9.26 kJ mol^?1 is calculated for the dyeing process and is independent of the fabric treatment. Pre‐exponential rate constants 1976, 1839, and 1579 (CD/GY) s^?1 were calculated for dyeing PET samples grafted with AA/NVP mixture, NVP and AA, respectively, while 1074 CD s^?1 was evaluated for carrier dyeing of ungrafted fabric. Analysis of the kinetic parameters and the dyeing mechanism revealed that dyeing PET fabric was diffusion‐controlled. Grafting PET fabric improved significantly the dyeing affinity of the DR dye over ungrafted samples dyed in solutions containing a carrier. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Functional finishing by using atmospheric pressure plasma: Grafting of PET nonwoven fabric

Poly (ethylene terephtalate) (PET) nonwoven fabric was treated with He/O₂ plasma to produce peroxides and grafted with acrylic acid (AA) for introducing carboxyl groups onto PET surface. The graft yield increased with AA concentration from 1.5M to 2.5M, and then decreased with further increase in AA concentration. Graft yield increased with sodium pyrosulfite (SPS) concentration from 0.005M to 0.02M, and then decreased with further increase of SPS concentration. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that both of plasma treatment and AA grafting increased oxygen content and decreased carbon content on the PET nonwoven fabric surface. The grafted PET nonwoven fabric showed increase in moisture regain and dye uptake. And drastic increase in wettability was observed after grafting. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3655–3659, 2007     

The effect of N,N-dimethylformamide and polymer grafting on the morphology of polyester fibers in fabric substrate

Photo-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and methyl acrylate (MA) in the liquid and vapor phase, respectively, onto N,N-dimethyformamide (DMF)-pretreated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers in fabric substrate was studied. The effect of various synthesis conditions and DMF pretreatment on the graft yields on PET was investigated. The internal morphology and properties of DMF-pretreated and grafted PET fibers in the fabric were characterized using density and birefringence measurements, differential thermal analysis (DTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dyeing methods, and critical dissolution times. The grafting was promoted by increasing DMF pretreatment temperature and the amount of DMF retention in the PET. Increasing biacetyl and monomer flow time and irradiation time enhanced grafting. DMF pretreatment resulted in increases in total void content, degree of crystallinity, trans-isomer content, chain folding, segmental mobility, and molecular packing of the PET, but caused decreases in its amorphous orientation, intermolecular forces, and individual void size through longitudinal shrinkage, lateral swelling, and removal of oligomers. Subsequent graft copolymerization led to further changes in the internal morphology and properties of the PET. PET grafted with AA had a higher cohesive energy density, lower degree of molecular packing, and larger individual void size, but less total void content, lower segmental mobility, less chain orientation, and a lower degree of crystallinity. PET grafted with MA showed increases in total void content, individual void size, segmental mobility, and molecular packing, but showed decreases in chain orientation and degree of crystallinity. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface modification of poly (ethylene terephthalate) fabric by soy protein isolate hydrogel for wound dressing application

In this study, a composite of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric and soy protein isolate (SPI) hydrogel loaded with gabapentin was developed. For covalent attachment of SPI on the surface of PET fabric, graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) on the surface of PET fabric was performed and then carboxyl groups available in the structure of AA were activated using EDAC and then SPI was coated on the surface of PET fabric. The results revealed appropriate connection between hydrogel and modified fabric. The hydrogel was characterized by swelling test and the drug release behavior was investigated. It was found that the casting temperature affects the swelling ratio of the hydrogel and an appropriate release profile of the drug was observed. The surface of fabric was characterized by contact angle measurement, electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. In vitro cell culture study was performed using NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts to investigate the biocompatibility of final composite and MTS results along with morphology of cells on the surface of PET fabric coated with SPI revealed the biocompatibility of final product and no cell cytotoxicity was observed in modified PET fabric.     

Preparation of hydrophilic woven fabrics: Surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by grafting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

One of the most industrially important synthetic textile materials, woven poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics, have limitations in the usage of casual apparel applications due to their unwanted hydrophobicity. For that reason, in this study, to impart permanent hydrophilicity to the PET fabrics, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and a PVA-based copolymer were introduced to the alkaline hydrolysis pretreated PET surface by graft copolymerization for the first time. The graft modification of PET fabric surface was performed with an industrial-adaptable approach. The synthesis of a novel PVA-g-(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) copolymer was achieved by the introduction of glycidyl methacrylate monomer to the PVA backbone. The structure of the copolymer was evidenced by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR techniques. The introduction of PVA and copolymer structures with desired functional groups to the PET fabric surface was confirmed with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. It was obtained that the contact angle–wetting time of PET fabric (145° and 98 s) could be dropped to 37° and 0.1 s and 64° and 0.7 s after PVA and copolymer grafting, respectively. This suggests that the graft-modified PET fabrics may find the potential of use in the textile applications as the alternative hydrophilic materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48584.     

Syntheses and properties of graft polymers of N‐substituted acrylamides onto EPDM

The graft polymerizations of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) or N‐phenylacrylamide (NPAM) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) were carried out with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator in toluene or THF. The structures of synthesized graft polymers, EPDM‐g‐N‐isopropylacrylamide (ENIPAM) and EPDM‐g‐N‐phenylacrylamide (ENPAM), were identified by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The effects of monomer concentration, reaction time, and initiator concentration were investigated on the graft polymerization. The highest graft efficiency of NIPAM was obtained at 0.75 mol/L of NIPAM, 4 g of EPDM, 3 wt % of BPO, and 70°C for 48 h and that of NPAM did not much change up to 0.75 mol/L of NPAM, 4 g of EPDM, 3 wt % of BPO, and 70°C for 72 h. The thermal decomposition temperatures, wettabilities, and tensile strengths of ENIPAM and ENPAM all decreased with an increasing concentration of NIPAM and NPAM moiety in the corresponding polymers, respectively. The morphologies of ENIPAM and ENPAM after irradiation showed many gel particles as compared with those of ENIPAM and ENPAM before irradiation. The UV light and ⁶⁰Co γ‐ray resistances of ENIPAM and ENPAM were worse than those of EPDM due to carbonyl group in NIPAM and NPAM. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3259–3267, 1999     

Graft copolymerization of PU membranes with acrylic acid and crotonic acid using benzoyl peroxide initiator

To improve water wettability of polyurethane (PU), graft copolymerization with acrylic acid (AA) and crotonic acid (CA) was performed using a benzoyl peroxide (BO) initiator. The grafting reaction was carried out by placing the membranes in aqueous solutions of AA and CA at constant temperatures. Variations of graft yield with time, temperature, initiator, and monomer concentrations were investigated. The optimum temperature, polymerization time, monomer, and initiator concentrations for AA were found to be 70°C; 3 h; 1.5 M; 5.0 × 10^?2 M, and for CA 70°C; 1 h; 1.5 M; 4.0 × 10^?2 M, respectively. The grafting membranes were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and the effect of grafting on equilibrium water content (EWC) of PU membranes was obtained by swelling measurements. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2690–2695, 2001     

Syntheses and properties of N‐vinylpyrrolidione‐g‐EPDM and its modified polymer

The graft copolymerizations of N‐vinylpyrrolidione(NVP) onto ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) were carried out with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator in toluene. The synthesized EPDM‐g‐NVP (ENVP) was characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effects of initiator and monomer concentrations, reaction time, and temperature were investigated in the graft copolymerization. The highest graft efficiency was obtained at 0.04 mol of NVP, 2 g of EPDM, 2 wt % of BPO and 80°C for 72 h. Modified ENVP (MENVP) was obtained by the reaction of ENVP and KOH in MeOH. Properties of EPDM, ENVP, and MENVP were investigated by a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), an instron tensile tester, a Fade‐O‐Meter, and a UV spectrophotometer. Tensile strength and light resistance of ENVP were better than those of MENVP. The dyeability of polymers was increased in following order: MENVP > ENVP > EPDM. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1177–1184, 1999     

Lipases improve the grafting of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics with acrylic acid

In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics were modified with two types of commercial lipases, namely, Lipex and Lipolase, and grafted with acrylic acid (AA) to improve their absorption properties. The effects of the enzyme concentration, reaction temperature, time, and pH on the grafting of AA onto PET were investigated. The pretreatment of PET with lipases increased the amount of AA that was introduced to the PET fibers, whereas AA grafting onto the untreated PET fabrics led to lower graft yields. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the AA‐grafted pretreated polyester fabrics. A new band appearing at 1546 cm^?1 in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum implied that AA was introduced onto the PET fabrics. The surfaces of the fabric fibers presented in scanning electron microscopy micrographs clearly indicated the formation of a layer of grafted poly (acrylic acid). The results show that the density of surface grafting was improved by the lipase pretreatment. The increase in grafting was higher for Lipex than for Lipolase. The highest graft yield was obtained with 1% Lipex and Lipolase for 30 min at pH values of 7 and 5, respectively. There were no significant changes in the tenacity or weight reduction of the fabrics. The moisture content of the samples increased linearly with increasing graft yield. This was higher for the pretreated fabrics grafted with Lipex. A higher color strength was obtained for grafted PET samples that were pretreated with Lipex when they were dyed in alkaline aqueous solutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite for agricultural use

A novel poly (acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA) on sodium humate micropowder using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. The effects on water absorbency of factors such as reaction temperature, initial monomer concentration, and degree of neutralization of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator, and sodium humate were investigated. The superabsorbent composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the graft copolymerization reaction of AA on sodium humate micropowder was characterized by IR spectroscopy. Results obtained from this study show that the water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal conditions for synthesis with a sodium humate content of 5.3% exhibited absorption of 684 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water. Water‐retention in soil is enhanced by the use of the superabsorbent composite. The effect of superabsorbent composite on the growth of corn is reported. The superabsorbent composite may be of use as water management materials for agriculture purposes in desert and drought‐prone areas. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5137–5143, 2006     

Synthesis and properties of silk sericin-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent hydrogel

A novel superabsorbent hydrogel has been synthesized with the crosslinking graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide onto the chain of silk sericin. Potassium persulfate (KPS)–sodium sulfite (NaHSO₃) as redox initiation system and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker were used. The structure of the product characterized by Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy and the surface morphology of the hydrogel were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The certain parameters of the graft copolymerization including the monomer, the initiator, the crosslinker concentration, neutralization degree of AA, reaction temperature, and time were systematically optimized to achieve a hydrogel with maximum swelling capacity (2150 g/g). The optimal conditions were initiator 8 mmol/L, MBA 2.5 mmol/L, neutralization degree of AA 75%, reaction temperature 55 °C, and time 6 h. The swelling ratio in salt solutions was also determined (in 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution: 98 g/g). In addition, the swelling capability of the hydrogel was measured in solutions with pH ranged from 1 to 13. The synthesized hydrogel exhibited a pH-dependent character. Water absorbency of the product in aqueous chloride salt solutions has the Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺ order in the investigated concentration.     

Factors influencing absorbent properties of saponified starch‐g‐(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide)

Mixtures of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) were grafted onto gelatinized maize starch by using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. These graft copolymers were hydrolyzed with alkali to yield hydrogels. The effects of different reaction variables, such as the concentration of the initiator and crosslinker, initial dilution of monomers, gelatinization conditions of starch, and the ratio of AM and AA in the monomer feed, on the water absorption capacities of these hydrogels have been examined. Absorption increases on gelatinizing starch at a higher temperature for a longer time as smaller granules gelatinize only under these conditions. The higher proportion of AA in the monomer feed enhances absorption due to formation of polyelectrolyte. The optimum conditions for obtaining maximum water absorbency established in the present study are granular maize starch = 2.0 g; gelatinization temperature = 95°C; gelatinization time = 60 min; AM = 1.0 g; AA = 4.0 g; CAN = 0.008 mol/L; N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide = 1%. The product so formed was saponified with NaOH and then precipitated in excess of methanol. The dried and finely powdered product showed the maximum water absorbency of 510 g/g. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2480–2485, 2000     

Lamination of polytetrafluoroethylene films via surface thermal graft copolymerization with ionic and zwitterionic monomers

Surface thermal graft copolymerization with concurrent lamination was carried out between two argon plasma‐pretreated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films in the presence of aqueous zwitterionic solutions of N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐methacrylamidopropyl‐N‐(3‐sulfopropyl)ammonium betain (DMASAB), N,N‐dimethyl(methacryloylethyl)ammonium propansulfonate (DMAPS), and 1‐(3‐sulfopropyl)‐2‐vinylpyridinium betaine (SVPB), as well as an aqueous ionic solution of potassium‐2‐sulfopropylacrylate (SPA) and potassium‐2‐sulfopropyl methacrylate (SPM), under atmospheric conditions and in the complete absence of an added initiator and system degassing. The lap shear adhesion strength between the PTFE films from simultaneous grafting and lamination depended on the argon plasma pretreatment time of PTFE films, the thermal lamination temperature, the concentration of the monomer solution, and the ionic nature of the grafted chains. Lap shear adhesion strength greater than 120 N/cm² and exceeding the yield strength of the PTFE substrate used could be readily obtained in most PTFE/zwitterion/PTFE assemblies after simultaneous thermal graft copolymerization and lamination. The chemical compositions of the graft‐copolymerized surfaces were studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 816–824, 1999     

Toward an understanding of the role of water‐soluble oligomers in the emulsion polymerization of styrene–butadiene–acrylic acid. Function of carboxylic acid

In a further effort to understand the role of water‐soluble oligomers formed during the emulsion terpolymerization of styrene/butadiene/acrylic acid (St/Bu/AA), the reaction temperature, initiator concentration, and ionic strength were varied and the kinetics and resulting oligomers were characterized as a function of reaction time. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was observed to increase with increasing temperature and initiator concentration; the reasons for this vary. The increase in R_p with increasing initiator concentration is mainly attributed to the increase in the number of oligomeric radicals formed and, subsequently, the resulting number of particles (N_p). Increasing the temperature increases the water solubility of both monomers and polymers, which results in changes in the composition and molecular weight of the oligomeric radicals being formed. The primary reaction locus in the St/Bu/AA system was noted to shift to the aqueous phase after most of the styrene and butadiene had reacted, based on the unreacted AA profile. The role of water‐soluble oligomers (both oligomeric radicals and dead oligomers) during the emulsion polymerization of St/Bu with acrylic acid can be described by three periods: (1) particle generation and (2) before and (3) after the critical surface saturation concentration (CSSC) is reached during the particle growth period. The incorporation of AA monomer into the oligomer chains after the CSSC may cause destabilization of the latexes through a bridging flocculation mechanism. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1988–1999, 2003     

Antimicrobial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) treated with an aromatic N‐halamine precursor,m‐aramid

A commercial m‐aramid as N‐halamine precursor has been coated onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric surface by pad‐dry‐curing process. The process is accomplished by padding the scoured PET fabric through the homogeneous m‐aramid solution, drying at 150°C for 3 min, and curing at 230°C for 3 min. The PET surface coated with m‐aramid was characterized using fourier transform infrared‐attenuated total reflection (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR exhibits new bands in the 1645 and 1524 cm^?1 regions as characteristic of m‐aramid bands, which indicate the PET fabric coated with m‐aramid. XPS results show a distinguishable peak at binding energy 398.7 eV, which confirms the nitrogen atom of m‐aramid on the PET surface. In addition, SEM image shows a layer of coating onto the PET surfaces, which demonstrates the presence of m‐aramid coating on the surface of the PET. After exposure to dilute sodium hypochlorite solution, exhibition of antimicrobial activity on the coated PET is attributed to the conversion of N‐halamine moieties from the N‐halamine precursor. The chlorinated PET showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. The chlorinated PET coated with 10% m‐aramid exhibited about 6 log reductions of S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 at a contact time of 10 and 30 min, respectively. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity was durable and rechargeable after 25 wash cycles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Studies on poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite. I. Synthesis and characterization

A novel poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA) on attapulgite micropowder using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. The effects on water absorbency of such factors as reaction temperature, initial monomer concentration, degree of neutralization of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator, and attapulgite were investigated. These crosslinked superabsorbent composites were characterized by thermogravimetetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The graft copolymerization reaction of AA on attapulgite micropowder was characterized by FTIR. The water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solutions were investigated and water‐retention tests were carried out. Results obtained from this study show that the water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with an attapulgite content of 10% exhibited an absorption of 1017 g H₂O/g sample and 77 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1596–1603, 2004     

Studies on acrylic acid–grafted polyester fabrics by electron beam preirradiation method. I. Effects of process parameters on graft ratio and characterization of grafting products

Polyester fabrics were preirradiated by electron beam in air and then grafted by acrylic acid (AA) without excluding oxygen. Effects of preirradiation dose, monomer concentration, reaction temperature, storage time, sulfuric acid, and Mohr's salt were investigated in detail and are discussed. The results suggest that it is practicable and effective to graft AA onto polyester fabrics by means of the preirradiation method. FTIR and SEM were used to characterize AA‐grafted polyester fabrics. A new band appearing at 1546 cm^?1 in the FTIR spectrum implies that AA was indeed introduced onto PET macromolecules. Changes of the diameter and the surface structure of fabric fibers presented in SEM micrographs make it clear that a layer of grafted poly(acrylic acid) was formed on the surface of these PET fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3931–3938, 2003     

Functional modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with an allyl monomer: Chemistry and structure characterization

Radical grafting of biocidal precursor monomer 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (ADMH) onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric was investigated. Based on SEM pictures, it was suggested that benzoyl peroxide could generate macromolecular radicals on PET when it was delivered to the areas properly. The macroradicals were in a form of benzoyl structure which can react with ADMH to form a short chain graft. It seems the reaction occurred at the end of polymers or defect areas with terephthalate groups at the end. After being converted to N-chloramide structure, the poly(ADMH)-g-PET fabric demonstrates total kill of 10⁵-10⁶ CFU/mL Escherichia coli at a contact time of 2 h.     

Preparation of superabsorbent based on the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide onto konjac glucomannan and its application in the water retention in soils

A new konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based superabsorbent polymer, KGM-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide), was prepared by the free radical grafting solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomers onto KGM in the presence of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker with potassium persulfate as an initiator. The effects of reaction parameters, including the amount of crosslinking agent and initiator, the weight ratio of both (AA + AM) to KGM and AM to (AA + AM), neutralization degree of AA, bath temperature, and reaction time, on the water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the structures of the copolymer. The maximum water absorbency of the optimized product was 650 g/g for distilled water and 70 g/g for a 0.9 wt % aqueous NaCl solution. Furthermore, the water retention of the copolymer in soils was studied. The effect of the copolymers on the aggregate distribution of soils was also evaluated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Chemical oxidative grafting of conducting poly(N‐methyl aniline) onto poly(ethylene terepthalate)

Detailed studies on the peroxidisulfate (PDS) initiated graft copolymerization of N‐methyl aniline (NMA) with poly(ethylene terepthalate) (PET) were carried out in p‐tolene sulfonic acid medium under nitrogen atmosphere. Experiments were designed to follow the rate of formation R_h of the poly(N‐methyl aniline (PNMA), simultaneously with the rate of grafting of PNMA onto PET. Effects of concentration of NMA, PDS, PET, time, and temperature on R_h and graft parameters were followed. Kinetic equations were deduced to correlate the changes in the rate with experimental conditions. Graft copolymers were isolated and grafting of PNMA onto PET was confirmed through FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, and conductivity measurements. Tensile measurements showed that grafting of PNMA did not alter the tensile properties of PET. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 596–605, 2005