SynopsisCationic membranes were prepared by direct radiation grafting of methacrylic acid (MAA) onto poly(tetrafluoroethy1ene) (PTFE) f i l m s followed by alkaline treatment to confer ionic character in the graft copolymer. The complete inhibition of homopolymerization of MAA by using ammonium feqeous sulfate (Mohr's salt) failed. However, the addition of 0.5 w t ' % FeC1, to the monomer solution effectively inhibited the homopolymerization process and higher grafting yield was obtained. I t was found that the graft polymerization proceeded successfully in presence of methanol/water mixture (30/70 w t %), and much higher degrees of grafting were obtained as compared with those in the presence of other diluents used here. The influence of irradiation atmosphere (air, N, gas, and vacuum) on the grafting process was investigated. The dependence of the grafting rate on MAA concentration was found to be of orders 2.9 and 0.72 in the presence of 0.5 wt % Mohr's salt or 0.5 wt 5 % FeCl,, respectively. This grafting system proceeds by the front mechanism. Investigation of mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and swelling behavior of the grafted films revealed that such a copolymer could be acceptable in practical use as a cation-exchange membrane.