Abstract
The graft copolymerisation of methacrylic acid onto fenugreek gum has been performed using potassium persulphate as initiator. The rheological properties of the grafted product and its utilization as a thickening agent in printing cotton fabrics with reactive dyes were thoroughly investigated. It was found that polyinethacrylic acid/fenugreek gum grafted products are characterised by non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour. The apparent viscosity at a constant rate of shear depends on the amount of the monomer used. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that polymethacrylic acid/fenugreek gum grafted products can be used safely, either alone or in a mixture with sodium alginate, to give printed goods characterized by soft handling and excellent colour fastness properties. Infra-red spectra of fenugreek gum before and after grafting with methacrylic acid indicate some physicochemical changes in the structure.