Effect of the particle size of the solid protective agent tricalcium phosphate and its in‐situ formation on the particle size of suspension polystyrene

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, the effect of the particle size of solid protective agent, commercially obtained and in‐situ formed tricalcium phosphate (TCP), on the particle size of suspension polymerized polystyrene (PS) is investigated. It is concluded that when a solid protective agent like TCP is used, its particle size and distribution plays an important role in both suspension stability and particle size of the PS obtained. As the particle size of the TCP becomes smaller, the particle size of the PS obtained is reduced in line with it. In situ precipitation of TCP reduces its particle size considerably. Therefore, to produce PS with the same particle size, lesser amount of in‐situ precipitated TCP is required which gives way to production recipe savings and cleaner PS products.