Abstract:
The invention relates to the activation of polymers and more particularly to certain classes of high polymeric material which are not susceptible to dyeing or the like whereby the polymeric material is given a functional group which can react with dyes, monomeric materials, etc. Polymeric materials such as polyolefins, e. g. polypropylene, polyesters and polyvinylchloride are sulfonated by reaction with a sulfonating agent in the presence of a hydrocarbon and/or a chlorinated hydrocarbon. The resulting sulfonated polymer can then be easily dyed or can be reacted with monomers to obtain dyeable polymers.