This work explored the melt-phase grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polypropylene on a closely intermeshing corotating twin-screw extruder (16-mm screws, 40 : 1 length/diameter ratio). The modification of the base polypropylene to produce GMA-grafted polypropylene was achieved via peroxide-induced hydrogen abstraction from the polypropylene followed by the grafting of the GMA monomer or by the grafting of styrene followed by copolymerization with the GMA. In this study, both the position and order of the reactant addition were investigated as a route to improving graft yields and reducing side reactions (degradation). For the peroxide-GMA system, adding GMA to the melt before the peroxide resulted in significant improvements in the graft levels because of the improved dispersion of GMA in the melt. The addition of a comonomer (styrene) was explored as a second route to improving the graft yield. Although the addition of the comonomer led to a considerable rise in the level of grafted GMA, altering the order of the reactant addition was not found to contribute to an increase in the grafted GMA levels. However, variable levels of grafted styrene were achieved, and this may play an important role in the development of grafted polymers to suit specific needs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.