Synthesis of tragacanth gum-based programmable adhesive for wood binding applications

Synthesis of graft copolymer [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MAETMAC) grafted gum tragacanth was performed using the microwave-assisted technique using potassium persulfate (KPS) as a free radical initiator. The synthesized grades were optimized by varying the monomer and the initiator concentration. The intended grafting was ascertained through standard physico-chemical characterizations. The synthesized graft copolymer was studied as a water-soluble adhesive for fabrication of single lap joint. The failure shear stress of lap joint was obtained using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Further, the self-separation study of the lap joints was carried out by soaking the lap-joint under water until they got self-separated. The failure shear stress and self-separation time of the adhesive in water were compared with three commercial adhesives available. The properties “ self separation time” in water and “ failure shear stress” were programmable at the molecular level (molecular level programming) in terms of percentage grafting.