The spontaneous thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate: 5. Experimental study and computer simulation of the high conversion reaction at 130°C

Abstract

The thermal polymerization and oligomerization of methyl methacrylate was studied at 130°C up to almost total monomer conversion. Using the rate constants for chain initiation and the diverse oligomerization steps given in our previous papers as well as literature values for chain propagation and termination, the kinetics of the complex reaction system was simulated with the computer program REMECH of DeTar. The good agreement between experimental and calculated concentration and molecular weight data indicates that the assumed reaction mechanism and the associated set of reaction constants are essentially correct.