The accelerating effect of methanol on the gamma radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene to polyethylene

Dilution of styrene in its gamma radiation-induced graft copolymerization to polyethylene with methanol was found to increase the rate of grafting. This effect is at a maximum at about 50% by volumel MeOH concentration and is ascribed to a Trommsdorff-type acceleration. This acceleration can explain the irregularity of the slope of the initial grafting rate vs. concentration MeOH graph for concentrations less than 50% and the drop of the rate for concentrations greater than 50%. (D.L.C.)