| Abstract: | Radiation-induced bulk polymerization of maleimide in both solid and liquid states was studied. Benzoquinone inhibited the liquid-state polymerization and retarded solid-state polymerization. The results of ESR study showed that solid monomer irradiated at 61°C. gave a spectrum, the concentration of which slowly decreased without changing the shape at 61°C. The radical detected at 61°C. was shown not to be the main propagating species. Overall rate polymerizations in the liquid and solid states were expressed, respectively, by first-order and zero-order rate equations with respect to the concentration of monomer. The overall rate constants in liquid and solid states were proportional to I0.9 and I1.0, respectively. |
