Terpolymerization with depropagation: Modelling the copolymer composition of the methyl methacrylate/alpha-methylstyrene/butyl acrylate system

The kinetics of the free radical terpolymer system methyl methacrylate (MMA)/alpha methyl styrene (AMS)/butyl acrylate (BA) have been studied in detail. Previous work with terpolymer systems typically has not involved monomers or cases where depropagation was a significant concern and hence the Alfrey–Goldfinger model was adequate to describe the system. In other works involving the MMA/AMS/BA system, modelling of the kinetics has not been attempted. In order to properly study this system, a new model has been developed based upon some of the underlying principles of the binary Kruger model (Kruger et al., 1987. Ein modell zur beschreibung reversibler copolymerisationen. Makromolecular Chemie, 188, 2163–2175.). A sensitivity analysis and benchmarking of the new model has been done and the terpolymerization system has been studied at 140∘C for selective feed ratios with promising results.