Graft interpolymers formed by γ‐irradiation of methyl methacrylate‐natural rubber mixtures

Abstract On exposure to Co‐60 γ‐radiation, mixtures of natural rubber and methyl methacrylate yield almost exclusively rubber‐polymethyl methacrylate graft polymers. An appreciable amount of free polymethyl methacrylate is formed only in the presence of a transfer agent or following radiation‐induced degradation of the interpolymer. Structural characterization of the products has been made. The findings are not consistent with random grafting of the synthetic polymer on linear rubber molecules of random molecular size distribution—the rubber component appears to comprise several crosslinked molecules. The influence of the purity of the rubber, monomer concentration, field intensity, the presence of transfer agent, and the gel effect on the rate of formation, yield, and structure of the interpolymer are reported.

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