Die thermische Polymerisation von Methylmethacrylat, 1. Polymerisation in Substanz

Special purification of the monomer and careful preparation of the reaction setup allowed a thorough study of the spontaneous thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate over a wide range of temperatures (0–140°C). The rates of polymerization are notably lower than the few data previously reported in literature, and the degrees of polymerization slightly higher. The thermal initiation reaction is superimposed by radical production due to the natural ionising radiation (cosmic radiation etc.). This additional initiation becomes significant at temperatures below 60°C. New and more reliable monomer chain transfer constants are given.