synopsisPolyethylene has been grafted with maleic anhydride, as proved by the infrared spectra and the properties of the grafted films. The influence of oxygen and a comparison of the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide and AIBN showed that polyethylene macroradicals are formed through the decomposition of bydroperoxide and peroxide groups. Side chains of poly(ma1eic anhydride) are formed by a combination of polyethylene macroradicals with those of poly(ma1eic anhydride). This mechanism of reaction was confirmed by the influence of the amount of film, the initiator and monomer concentrations, and temperature on the percentage of grafting.

spnopsisGrafting of maleic anhydride on polyethylene is found to take place also i n a homogeneous medium. The course of reaction in nitrogen and in air and the influence of temperature of initiator and polymer concentrations suggest that grafting is due to the chain transfer reaction to polyethylene.in Luft-und Stickstoff-Atmosphare, der Einfluss der Konzentration des Initiierungsmittel und des Polyathylens in der Losung, sowie der Temperatur suggerieren dass es sich hier urn eine Ketteniibertragung aiif Polyiithylen handelt .

synopsisPolyethylene has been grafted in a reaction with poly(maleic anhydride) in the presence of radical initiators. The role of oxygen, the comparison of the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide and AIBN, and the kinetics of the reaction suggest that side chains are formed via a combination of the macroradicals of both polymers.

The effect of the polymer concentration on the grafting of maleic anhydride on polyethylene was studied at different temperatures and at different monomer and initiator concentration. The character of the curves obtained suggests the importance of the termination reactions and the appearance of the gel effect at higher polymer concentrations.