AbstractThe use of tetravalent ceric ions to initiate graft‐copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk has been investigated. The rate of grafting has been determined by varying monomer, cerium (IV), temperature, and nature of silk. The graft yield increases with increasing monomer concentration up to 0.65 mol/l and with further increase of monomer, the graft yield decreases. The percentage of grafting increases with increasing ceric ion concentration up to 0.03 mol/l and thereafter it decreases. The rate of reaction is temperature dependent, with increasing temperature, the graft yield increases. The grafting is considerably influenced by chemical modification prior to grafting. The effect of different species of ceric ion and CuSO4on the rate of grafting has also been investigate