GRAFTING ONTO WOOL FIBERS - GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE ONTO WOOL FIBERS INITIATED BY KHSO5 FE(III) COUPLE

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto wool fibers has been carried out in an aqueous medium under deaerated condition initiated by potassium monopersulphate (KHSO5)/Fe(III) system, at varying concentration of the reactants and temperature. The effect of various salts and organic solvents on the extent of grafting has also been studied. Maximum graft percentage of 210.8% was obtained in 4 h at 40-degrees-C with the concentration of MMA (0.46 M), KHSO5 (0.0195 M), Fe(III) (1.25 x 10(-4) M) in the presence of 50% formic acid. Various improved properties of the grafts have been studied and compared with the parent fiber.