Graft copolymerizations of methyl acrylate (MA)

ethyl acrylate (EA) and butyl acrylate (BA) onto apocynum fibre using redox initiation system were carried out in heterogeneous system respectively. The structure of grafted products was characterized by means of IR

SEM

and X-ray diffraction. The grafted fibres have higher breaking elongation

higher flexibility and lower Young's modulus than those of pure apocynum fiber. The acid and base resistance of grafted fiber increases with the increasing of grafting percent

but the water absorp-tion decreases.