On semicontinuous polymerization of vinyl acetate

Abstract

Abstract A semicontinuous emulsion process was used to polymerize vinyl acetate. The parameters studied were the rate of addition of the various ingredients. The polymerization evolution was followed as samples were taken at regular intervals. These emulsion samples were analyzed for monomer conversion, rate of polymerization as well as for the size and the size distribution of the particles. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Our study showed that the total surface of the particles is an important factor, that the reaction mechanism follows Krackeler's and Wessling's theory, and that the Smith‐Ewart ideal case does not apply here.