Graft Polymers Derived from Natural Rubber

Abstract

Abstract Graft polymers result when vinyl monomers are polymerized in the presence of natural rubber, either in solution or as latex, and some of the polymeric chains become attached to the rubber molecules. The properties of the natural rubber can be widely modified according to the nature and the amount of the grafted polymer. The polymer-modified natural rubber appears to be produced by direct growth of polymer chains on to rubber molecules rather than by a transfer reaction involving the rubber. Graft polymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate with natural rubber can be compounded and cured to give light-colored articles of good tensile strength, and rubber-methyl methacrylate graft polymers have outstanding flex-cracking and fatigue resistance.