Styrene mechanism

Fig. 18.5 Degradation of polystyrene to yield styrene. Mechanism 1 chain scission at the head-to-head link...

ABS Acryinitrid-Butadien-Styrene Mechanical, medical components... 

Polymerization of styrene is carried out under free radical conditions often with benzoyl peroxide as the initiator Figure 1111 illustrates a step m the growth of a poly styrene chain by a mechanism analogous to that of the polymerization of ethylene (Sec tion 6 21)... 

When styrene is refluxed with aqueous sulfuric acid two styrene dimers are formed as the major products One of these styrene dimers is 1 3 diphenyl 1 butene the other is 1 methyl 3 phenyhndan Suggest a reasonable mechanism for the formation of each of these compounds... 

Figure 7.7 Fj versus fj for styrene (Mi)-methyl methacrylate (M2) copoly mers prepared by the mechanisms indicated. [From D. C. Pepper, Q. Revie London 8 88 (1954).]...

Thermal Oxidative Stability. ABS undergoes autoxidation and the kinetic features of the oxygen consumption reaction are consistent with an autocatalytic free-radical chain mechanism. Comparisons of the rate of oxidation of ABS with that of polybutadiene and styrene—acrylonitrile copolymer indicate that the polybutadiene component is significantly more sensitive to oxidation than the thermoplastic component (31—33). Oxidation of polybutadiene under these conditions results in embrittlement of the mbber because of cross-linking such embrittlement of the elastomer in ABS results in the loss of impact resistance. Studies have also indicated that oxidation causes detachment of the grafted styrene—acrylonitrile copolymer from the elastomer which contributes to impact deterioration (34). 

In addition to graft copolymer attached to the mbber particle surface, the formation of styrene—acrylonitrile copolymer occluded within the mbber particle may occur. The mechanism and extent of occluded polymer formation depends on the manufacturing process. The factors affecting occlusion formation in bulk (77) and emulsion processes (78) have been described. The use of block copolymers of styrene and butadiene in bulk systems can control particle size and give rise to unusual particle morphologies (eg, coil, rod, capsule, cellular) (77). 

The mechanism of the anionic polymerization of styrenes and 1,3-dienes initiated by alkaU metals has been described in detail (3,20) as shown in equations 3—5 where Mt represents an alkaU metal and M is a monomer molecule. Initiation is a heterogeneous process occurring on the metal surface. The... 

Unsaturated polyester resins prepared by condensation polymerization constitute the largest industrial use for maleic anhydride. Typically, maleic anhydride is esterified with ethylene glycol [107-21-1] and a vinyl monomer or styrene is added along with an initiator such as a peroxide to produce a three-dimensional macromolecule with rigidity, insolubiUty, and mechanical strength. 

Fig. 4. MiceUular gelation mechanism. A shows micelle nuclei, highly cross-linked B, boundary where micelle growth terminates in styrene block polymers.

The cross-linking reaction mechanism is also influenced by the presence of other monomers. Methyl methacrylate is often used to improve the uv resistance of styrene-based resins. However, the disparate reaction rates of styrene and methacrylate monomer with the fumarate unsaturation not only preclude the use of more than 8% of the methacrylate monomer due to the significant slowing of the cross-linking reaction but also result in undercured products. 

Acrylonitrile—Butadiene—Styrene. ABS is an important commercial polymer, with numerous apphcations. In the late 1950s, ABS was produced by emulsion grafting of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers onto polybutadiene latex particles. This method continues to be the basis for a considerable volume of ABS manufacture. More recently, ABS has also been produced by continuous mass and mass-suspension processes (237). The various products may be mechanically blended for optimizing properties and cost. Brittle SAN, toughened by SAN-grafted ethylene—propylene and acrylate mbbets, is used in outdoor apphcations. Flame retardancy of ABS is improved by chlorinated PE and other flame-retarding additives (237). 

Fig. 44. Thermal mechanical behavior of a styrene—butadiene—styrene block copolymer in nitrogen at —180 to 150°C (280).

Styrene—butadiene latexes generally are quite stable mechanically because of the presence of relatively large amounts of emulsifying and stabilizing agents, and therefore require addition of less stabilizer in compounding. The apphcations of SBR latex are classified in Table 21. This classification indicates the scope of the industry and illustrates the large number of diverse applications in which synthetic latices are employed. The latex types previously found most suitable for particular applications are also listed. 

Rubber. The mbber industry consumes finely ground metallic selenium and Selenac (selenium diethyl dithiocarbamate, R. T. Vanderbilt). Both are used with natural mbber and styrene—butadiene mbber (SBR) to increase the rate of vulcanization and improve the aging and mechanical properties of sulfudess and low sulfur stocks. Selenac is also used as an accelerator in butyl mbber and as an activator for other types of accelerators, eg, thiazoles (see Rubber chemicals). Selenium compounds are useflil as antioxidants (qv), uv stabilizers, (qv), bonding agents, carbon black activators, and polymerization additives. Selenac improves the adhesion of polyester fibers to mbber. 

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