Abstract
To introduce functional moieties into Tefzel® film, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene, graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers such as methyl acrylate (MA) and ethyl acrylate (EA) was attempted by a pre-irradiation method in aqueous medium. Optimum conditions for obtaining the maximum grafting was evaluated for both monomers. Maximum grafting of MA (306.0%) and EA (462.1%) was obtained at a total dose of 25.4 and 31.9kGy respectively, using [MA] = 2.20 mol/L and [EA] 0.032 moles. The effect of aliphatic alcohols of varying chain length, such as methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, 1-Pentanol and cyclohexanol on the percentage grafting of MA & EA was also studied. Characterization of Tefzel® and grafted Tefzel® films was carried out by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Grafted Tefzel® film was found to have improved thermal resistance.