Abstract
In order to study the grafting onto collagen fiber, the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of collagen fiber (hide powder) was carried out with ceric sulfate as an initiator.
The graft copolymerization proceeded effectively at 40°C and the yield of graft polymer and the efficiency of grafting were high. The graft copolymerization did not occure when the concentration of the ceric salt was below a certain value. When the Ce-, Cr- and Zr-tanned leathers were used, the yield of graft polymer decreased with increased tanning action. The yield of graft polymer decreased with increased pH value. The yield was minimal, when pH was about 3.
On the basis of the results mentioned above, it was considered that the tanning action occurred between collagen fiber and the ceric salt.
The grafting of n-butyl acrylate onto collagen fiber was also studied. In this case, the yield of graft polymer was less than that of methyl methacrylate.
