Effect of solvents on gamma radiation induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto polypropylene

Methyl methacrylate was grafted onto polypropylene films using gamma radiation. Effects of different parameters, such as radiation dose, inhibitor concentration, monomer concentration, and type of solvents on the graft yield were investigated. It was established that the graft yield depends on the proper choice of solvent mixtures, and its maximum value can be obtained by using decalin/methanol mixture in the ratio 2 : 3 wt %. Thermal characteristics using differential scanning calorimetry shows that grafting has practically no effect on the crystallinity of PP. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.