The mechanicochemical modification of high polymers

There is presented a review of the published work on gelatinization of polymers, polymers with fillers, mixed polymers, block copolymers, and polymers crosslinked by mechanical treatment. Some new applications of these mechanicochemical processes for elastomers, plastomers, resins, modified and nonmodified polymers are proposed and discussed. Systems such as natural rubber‐acenaphthalene, polymethyl methacrylate‐acrylonitrile, epoxide resin‐methyl methacrylate, starch‐styrene, and ethylcellulose‐polyvinylacetate have been characterized. A technique relating to the purification of polymer modified by copolymer which is usually present is given. The properties of polymers, modified by mechanicochemical processes (notably the systems mentioned above), are related to their chemical structure.