| Abstract: | The kinetics of bulk and precipitation polymerization of vinyl chloride has been studied over wide range of reaction temperature by using γ-ray induced initiation. The autoacceleration effect, which has been observed by many investigators in the case of chemically initiated bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride above 40°C and has been the most controversial aspect of the bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride, was found to disappear in the bulk polymerization below 0°C. In the bulk polymerization at 40°C, the autoacceleration effect was observed up to 20%, in agreement with the results of previous investigators, and a pronounced effect of the size of polymer particles on the time–conversion curve was observed. The kinetics of precipitation polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of some nonsolvents was successfully described by a oneparameter equation. A kinetic scheme, which clearly explains the zero-order reaction behavior of bulk polymerization at low temperature and the kinetic behavior of precipitation polymerization described by the empirical equation, is proposed. The autoacceleration effect in the bulk polymerization at 40°C was considered to be essentially the same phenomenon as the small retardation period observed in the bulk polymerization at low temperature. |
