Synthesis and properties of the graft copolymers of polyethylene and fluorine-containing polymers

Abstract

The properties of graft copolymers of PE with polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) synthesized by radiation-chemical methods have been investigated. A study was made of graft polymerization rates in relation to temperature and to other factors including the nature of grafted monomers, the presence of vapours of various liquids in the systems and the PE films thickness. Structural transitions and changes in the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the initial and the irradiated PE and the fluorine-containing graft copolymers were investigated by methods of X-ray and IR analysis and by determination of extreme angles of wetting and by study of density, swelling and thermostability. It was found that grafting of the selected fluorine-containing polymers to PE increases its heat resistance, thermostability, light-fastness and stability towards the action of organic liquids. In addition, the tensile strength of the studied materials was increased.