Significance of grafting in curing processes initiated by UV, excimer and ionising radiation sources

The grafting of a typical methacrylate monomer (MMA) to polypropylene (PPE) and cellulose initiated by UV and ionising radiation is reported. The effect of additives which constitute components in radiation curing on the grafting process is examined. Additives studied include photoinitiators (PIs), multifunctional acrylates and methacrylates and acrylate oligomers. Synergistic effects when these additives are combined in the same solution are reported. The photografting studies have been extended to include grafting with charge transfer (CT) complexes involving donor/acceptor (DA) monomers to PPE, cellulose and wool. The importance of this work in conventional and PI free curing is discussed, particularly the significance of concurrent grafting during curing.