High‐conversion polymerization. III. Kinetic behavior of ethyl methacrylate

The kinetics of free‐radical polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) have been experimentally studied in bulk and in 50% solution in DMF over the temperature range from 60 to 90°C. At low conversion, the kinetic parameters have been determined, including constants for chain transfer to monomer and solvent. These parameters have then been used to model the kinetic behavior at high conversion using previously derived equations. The results indicate that the equations satisfactorily predict the conversion and molecular weight averages and distributions as a function of time from zero to ca. 95% conversion.