The emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The kinetics of the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate have been examined in the light of recent advances in theory. It has been found that, if allowance is made for the decrease in the termination rate, the kinetics of the reaction can be predicted up to the point where all monomer is absorbed by growing monomer‐polymer particles. In order to do this it must be assumed that the efficiency of initiation is low and is a function of the size and number of growing particles in the latex. A possible explanation for these observations is discussed.