Abstract

We have investigated the influence of tanning agents on grafting butyl acrylate onto the low value lower split of limed hide. The results obtained indicate that the level of grafting increases in the order Al > Cr >Al+Cr. This is ascribed to the presence of a greater number of free sites in hide tanned with Al.

We also note that initiator [I] and monomer [M] concentration play an important role on the grafting level, time and temperature of reaction also have an effect. Increasing [I] and [M] concentrations increases the grafting level up to a certain concentration for each one, after which the rate of grafting tends to level off. This can be attributed to the increase in free radicals which leads to an increase in grafting levels up to the point where homopolymerization exceeds the rate of grafting so the reaction stops. The grafting process was proved via FT-IR.