MODIFICATION OF COTTON, RAYON AND SILK FIBERS BY RADIATION INDUCED GRAFT CO-POLYMERIZATION

摘要

Methylmethacrylate (MMA) has been grafted onto cotton, rayon and silk yarns by irradiation with ~(60)Co gamma source in the presence of methanol used as swelling solvent at different proportions with the bulk monomer MMA. The highest grafting occurred with silk (35%) followed by rayon (22%) and the least grafting was with cotton yarn (17%). Dose rate 200 krad/h was found to yield the best results at a total dose of 500 krad. Incorporation of minute amount (1%, v/v) of an additive into MMA + MeOH system enhanced both grafting and tensile strength of the grafted yarn. It appears that the coadditive plays a better role in the grafting process for enhancing tensile strength. Water uptake and equilibrium moisture content of the grafted yarns were determined.