Effect of heat and solvent treatment on radiation grafting of acrylic acid to poly(ethylene terpehthalate)

Direct radiation graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) films and fibers subjected to thermal treatment and treated with structure-active solvents, such as dichloroethane and dioxane, was studied. Based on the results of thermomechanical analysis, X-ray diffraction, sorption, and acrylic acid grafting, conclusions were drawn concerning the character of structural changes in poly(ethylene terephthalate) exposed to structure-active solvents. The physicochemical properties of the graft copolymers obtained were examined, including the resistance against γ-radiation.