Phase formation and phase inversion during the bulk precopolymerization of solutions of rubber in styrene–methyl methacrylate

Abstract

AbstractThis paper is a report on the investigation of the phase formation and phase inversion during the bulk‐agitated polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate containing dissolved SBR. Microphase separation in the rubber solution began at about the 2% conversion level. That process coincided with a constant level of dynamic viscosity and a sharp decrease in the intrinsic viscosity. Before the phase‐inversion point the system became a multiple “oil‐in‐oil” emulsion. The rubber particles began to form before the phase‐inversion point. In the region of phase inversion, the dynamic viscosity decreased and the intrinsic viscosity showed irregularities. After 20% conversion level, the average parameters of the particles did not change.