Polymerization
of monomers with
organic peroxides
A wide range of organic peroxides and azo compounds are used as initiators for the radical polymerization of monomers. Organic peroxides can be divided into diacylperoxides, hydroperoxides, dialkylperoxides, peroxyesters, peroxyketals and peroxy(di)carbonates. The main areas of application for these initiators are low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), styrenics (PS/EPS), acrylics (PMMA) and other polymers. The polymerization of monomers takes place under varying controlled conditions, to which the properties of the initiator have to be adapted. Certain types of organic peroxides are also used for the chain degradation of polypropylene (PP).
An important factor for selecting an appropriate initiator is its decomposition rate, which is determined using its half life time.
Half life time:
The half life is the time taken for half of the peroxide quantity to decompose in a specific solvent at a given temperature. With the exception of hydroperoxides, the half life times were determined using a solution of the peroxide (0.1 mol/l) in monochlorobenzene. Listed are the temperatures at which the half lives are 10h, 1h and 1 min. Based on the 1h half life temperature, the initiators in our product guide are arranged in descending order of activity.
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