The dicumylperoxide (DCPO) promoted functionalization of an ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPR) by means of dibutyl maleate (DBM) has been studied in bulk at constant reactant composition (100 : 10 : 1 by wt EPR-DBM-DCPO) in the range of temperature from 140 to 200OC.
The reactants have been premixed in a Brabender-like apparatus at 90°C in which no decomposition of the radical initiator could occur. This was done in the frame of a general discussion of polyolefin functionalization, to assure the homogeneity of the reactant mixture before the reaction occurred.
The kinetics of the reaction followed by an infrared (IR) technique was carried out according to two dif€erent procedures: a static one in a thermostatic bath and a dynamic one in the same mixer used for the premixing step. The kinetics in the two cases are very comparable, and a common activation energy of 40 kcal/mol has been measured. Some minor differences exist, however, which are very interestiug from a scientific point of view.
The kinetics of EPR degradation during the reaction has been indirectly monitored by means of solution Viscoaimetry. The results have been compared with the reaction kinetics.
A thorough discussion of the pro@ mechanism for grafting and degradation reactions has been also provided.
Further work is in progress to analyze the effect of the EPR copolymer and of reactant composition on the functionalization and degradation reactions.