Characterization of LDPE grafted with Diethylmaleate by Gamma Radiation: Application of FTIR, GPC and SSA Techniques

Summary: The grafting of diethyl maleate onto low‐density polyethylene using gamma irradiation as initiator has been evaluated. The grafting degree was estimated by FTIR and with the use of a calibration curve. The functionalized polymers were characterized by DSC, MFI, SSA and GPC. An increase in the grafting degree with the radiation dose and the concentration of the functional monomer was found. Branching seemed to be the preferential reaction induced by radiation, causing an increase in average molecular weights with the consequently reduction of melt flow index values. The molecular segregation induced by the calorimetric treatment showed that grafting occurs preferentially through secondary carbon sequences.