GRAFTING OF 2-(DIMETHYLAMINO)ETHYL METHACRYLATE ON LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE IN THE MELT

Grafting of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) on linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the melt has been studied through measurements of monomer conversion, the degree of grafting and the grafting efficiency. Results show that the grafting of DMAEMA on LLDPE can be carried out in the melt at temperatures as low as 90-degrees-C even though the melting point of the LLDPE is as high as 120-degrees-C. When the grafting reaction is carried out at too low or too high temperature, a low degree of grafting is observed. High reaction temperature favoured crosslinking of the polymer as indicated by decreasing melt flow index. Most of the grafts were obtained during the early period of the reaction (before 3 min under the reaction conditions used). Further increase in reaction time increased crosslinking and also produced more homopolymer, thus decreasing the grafting efficiency. Organic peroxides are effective initiators for the grafting reaction over a broad range of half-lives while azo initiators do not produce grafting.