Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.72, No.12, 1611-1625, 1999
Copolymerization with depropagation: Prediction of kinetics and properties of alpha-methylstyrene-methyl methacrylate copolymers. II. Bulk copolymerization
In order to calculate some kinetic parameters, such as the reactivity ratios, of the system alpha-methylstyrene-methyl methacrylate, the bulk copolymerization of these two monomers with azobis isobutironitrile (AIBN) as a radical initiator was studied. Experiments were performed at the various temperatures of 50, 60, and 80 degrees C with 0.5 mol % of initiator (AIBN). The kinetics, molecular weights, microstructure, and glass transition temperature (T-g) of the copolymers were followed. A software, previously developed (part I), taking into account the equilibrium of the homopolymerization of alpha-methylstyrene, was used to simulate the experimental data. The model was in good agreement with all the experimental data.
Keywords:alpha-methylstyrene;methyl methacrylate;depropagation;bulk kinetics;molecular weights;microstructure;glass transition;modelling