Bulk Polymerization
Bulk polymerization is the conversion of monomer into a polymer
without the aid of a solvent (compare to
solution polymerization.) There are several advantages to bulk
polymerization:
- There is no problem with getting solvent out of the finished product (since
no solvent is used.)
- Other advantages forthcoming...
If you are performing an addition polymerization, you may be interested
in the
tacticity and the
orienticity of your polymer.
Bulk Polymer Properties
There will be considerable overlap between this area and Mechanical
Properties...
So, you've just made a polymer!
- Can you make a bullet proof vest out of it, or a trampolene(sp?)
- How does your polymer respond to sudden impact?
- Of a blunt object?
- Of a sharp object?
- Can you make a better condom?
- How far below room temperature should the
glass transition temperature be?
- How does your polymer respond to a continuously applied shear force?
- Can you make a windshield for high speed transports (Mach 2.4 aircraft)?
- How does temperature effect your polymer?
- Up to what temperature will a windshield of your polymer withstand a
collision with a Canadian Goose if the aircraft is traveling at Mach 2.4?
- If your windshield polymer is semi-crystalline, how does the
melt transition temperature (Tm) affect mechanical properties as a function
of changing temperature?
These are but a few of the questions that you may face as a polymer chemist.
Last Update- July 4, 1995- wld