GRAFTING OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE ONTO SILK IN AQUEOUS ALCOHOLIC SOLUTION

The grafting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) onto silk in aqueous alcohol systems using potassium persulfate (KPS) in the presence of air was investigated. Effects of grafting conditions, such as concentrations of monomer,initiator and formic acid, temperature and time, on the graft yield were determined. The optimum graft conditions were found to be: T= 80℃, t = 30 min, [KPS] = 1.85% [on the weight of monomer (owm)]; [formic acid] = 0.2% (V/V); [EGDMA] =80% [on the weight of fiber (owf)]. The activation energy of grafting at 50-80℃ was found to be 71.31 kJ/mol for EGDMA.Grafting equations were also evaluated. The graft yield value can be regulated by the concentration of monomer. The graft copolymerization of EGDMA onto silk is effective in improving the crease-proofing of silk fabrics.