Copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with bis(4-methacryloylmethylphenyl)-sulphone

Abstract

Bis(4-methacryloylmethylphenyl)-sulphone (BMMPhSu), the monomer containing sulphur in the form of sulphone group and two unsaturated bonds C\\hbox{=}C in its structure, was applied for obtaining copolymers with methyl methacrylate (MM). 15% solution of BMMPhSu in MM was polymerized in the presence of three curing systems. The curing systems were combinations of benzoyl peroxide (BP), methylethyl ketone peroxide (L), N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and cobalt naphthenate (Co). Influence of curing systems on gelation times of the solutions of BMMPhSu in MM at room temperature was determined. The peaks exotherm temperatures were measured. For four polymers containing 15% of BMMPhSu polymerized in the presence of BP and DMA of different concentrations as curing systems. Besides, 8 films of the copolymers BMMPhSu and MM were obtained. The films were obtained by polymerization of 15, 10 and 5% solutions of BMMPhSu using the curing system BP+DMA, and 15% solution of BMMPhSu using the curing systems (BP+L)+DMA+Co and L+DMA+ Co. Some of the films (5) were heated for 4 h at 80°C but the others were not. All obtained films were tested for mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness by the Shore's and Brinnell's methods. Thermal resistance and glass transition temperatures of the obtained copolymers were also determined.