Surface Modification of Polypropylene Nonwovens to Improve Adhesion to Elastomers

Abstract

This study addresses how one can use blending, grafting and UV radiation techniques to make polar or hydrophilic polypropylene (PP) to overcome the shortcomings of the inert (hydrophobic) nature of the PP surface. For this purpose a functional monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was chosen as the modifier. Moreover, the similarity and differences in results between the different techniques are reported. For both blending and grafting techniques a range of weight percentage of GMA was added to the base polymer PP and it was observed that even low amounts of GMA (0.5 wt %) was sufficient to modify the surface property of the PP and produce enhanced adhesion to elastomeric polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and Pebax. Increased adhesion up to 300% has been reported in this work. The physical modification of PP using UV irradiation also proved effective and has improved the hydrophilicity of PP. The laminated samples of modified PP and elastomeric polymers were subjected to barrier and moisture transport tests. Under specific conditions of lamination, these composites have proved to be an effective barrier to water but at the same time can provide comfort property by maintaining the moisture vapor transfer through them.