Radical-initiated bulk polymerization of acrylamide in the presence of potassium persulfate in the melt phase has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The method presented here has been carried out in isothermal condition. This not only saves energy and time but also has some less probable side effects. Side effects such as evaporation and imiclization could affect the final yield and properties of the obtained product. Different temperatures have been examined for isothermal polymerization to find out the optimum temperature with complete conversion of acrylamide to its corresponding polymer. During the polymerization process, high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide is being produced without any significant loss in total yield. The molecular weight was determined by inherent viscosity measurement. Also, no side reaction such as imidization resulting in partial insolubility or crosslinked product was being observed. It is noteworthy that we believe DSC studies show the existence of living radicals that has not been reported before. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2335-2340, 2003.