Graft Copolymerization of Polyester Fibers with a Fluorine-Containing Monomer

Polyester monofilaments are grafted with perfluorooctyl-2 ethanol acrylic monomer (AC8) (C 8 F 17 —C 2 H 4 —O—CO—CH=CH 2 ) to improve water and oil repellency and chemical and thermal stability and to enhance adhesion with a fluor matrix. Kinetic parameters like the percent grafting and grafting rate are measured as a function of monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and time and temperature of the re action. The results show that the optimum graft yield is obtained for a monomer con centration of 1.125 moles/liter and for an initiator concentration of 1.8 10 -2 moles/ liter. The impact of the graft modification is characterized by crystallinity and surface topography.