Irradiation-grafted polymeric films. I. Preparation and properties of acrylic acid-grafted polyethylene films

Graft copolymers of low‐density polyethylene film and acrylic acid have been prepared by the direct grafting technique. The properties of 27.4, 33.9, 41.2, and 46.4 wt‐% poly(acrylic acid) graft copolymer films have been compared. Measurements include degree and uniformity of grafting, gel water content, degree of swelling on wetting, tensile strength, elongation, ion‐exchange capacity, water‐vapor transmission, and water flux and solute rejection under reverse osmosis conditions. These properties were found to vary as the composition of the graft copolymer changed; most properties were found to be a linear function of the degree of grafting.