Complex-radical terpolymerization of glycidyl(methyl) methacrylates, styrene, and maleic anhydride

The ternary copolymerizations of glycidyl(methyl) methacrylates (GMA and MMA), styrene (St), and maleic anhydride (MA), considered as acceptor(A1)–donor–acceptor(A2) systems, were carried out in methyl ethyl ketone in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as initiator at 50–80°C. Constants of copolymerization, complex formation, and some kinetic parameters for the monomer systems studied were determined by the methods of Hanna–Ashbaugh, Kelen–Tüdös, and Seiner–Litt, as well as by dilatometry, respectively. The results show that terpolymerizations were carried out through primary “complex” mechanisms at near-binary copolymerization of GMA (or MMA) with the St⋮MA complex. The terpolymers synthesized which comprised free anhydride and epoxide reactive groups easily underwent crosslinking by thermotreatment and by UV irradiation, which was confirmed by DTA, TMA, and FTIR analyses.