Abstract

The rate enhancing effects of aromatic solvents (1-fluoro-, 1-

chloro-, 1-bromonaphthalene and toluene) on the photo- and
thermal sensitized polymerization of methyl methacrylate by
azoinitiators at 25° and 60° respectively were investigated by
measuring kp, kr and Rl by means of rate, molecular weight and
sector experiments. The rate of polymerization is affected by the
nature and concentration of the solvent partly from the viscosity
dependence of termination and partly from the solvent
dependence of the propagation coefficient. A minor solvent effect
on the rate of initiation was also noted.

Aim:(a) To study the bulk polymerization of undiluted MMA to PMMA

initiated by a single radical initiator at elevated temperature and to
determine volumetric shrinkage after conversion is complete. (b) To
polymerize MMA in the presence of PMMA at room temperature by
addition of a redox pair (double radical initiator) [benzoyl peroxide
(BP) - dimethyl paratohidine (DMPT)] and to follow percent conversion
by the temperature-time course. (c) To study polymerization of MMA to
PMMA as it occurs in a commercial kit used by orthopedic surgeons to
make bone cement and to follow the conversion by the temperature-time
course.
Polymethylmethacrylate (also known as plexiglass and PMMA) has a
high resistance to outdoor environments, has excellent optical
properties, and is harder and stronger than most plastics, but is
more brittle. It has certain advantages over glass. For example it is
half the weight of glass, is colorless and clearer, resistant to
breakage and has an ease of molding into shape. Plexiglass is used in
lighting fixtures, outdoor signs, aircraft windows, and automobile
tail lights. The canopies of jet fighters are also made out of plexiglass
and are in acrylic paints. PMMA is a polyolefin and is prepared by a
free radical initiated chain polymerization reaction of the carbon-
carbon double bond in methylmethacrylate (MMA). To start the
polymerization reaction is the generation of a free radical. A
common organic free radical initiator is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl
peroxide is cleaved by heat or light to for a relatively stable benzoyl
radical.