Some factors affecting the useful rates of reaction in the industrial polymerization of styrene

The current values for the velocity constants for styrene polymerization are used to calculate the rates at which polystyrenes of particular viscosities can be prepared. It is shown that optimum temperatures should exist where there is the highest rate of formation of a polymer of specified viscosity. However, these rates can be exceeded in the later stages of bulk polymerization or in emulsion polymerization where the bimolecular termination reaction is restricted by a high‐viscosity medium or by compartmentalization. On the other hand, reduction‐activated bulk systems fall into line with the general theory proposed.