Radiation‐induced polymerization at high dose rate. I. Isobutyl vinyl ether in bulk

Abstract

AbstractBulk polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether was studied at 25°C in a wide dose rate range, 8.2‐277 rad/sec by γ rays and 8.8 × 103‐2.2 × 105 rad/sec by electron beams. At low dose rate, 8.2‐277 rad/sec, only the radical polymerization took place. At high dose rate exceeding 8.8 × 103 rad/sec, cationic polymerization was found to occur in addition to the radical polymerization. DPn of the product at high dose rate was 9‐10. Further drying of the monomer increased Rp, and molecular weight of the product formed by cationic mechanism also increased.