Enhanced polymerization process

• Main Authors: VILASAGAR SHRIPATHY, FENG KE, LOWRY VERN, TOWNSEND DAVID FRANCIS, LITTLEJOHN MATTHEW HAL
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 16.01.2008
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVINGCARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP

An emulsion polymerization process for the preparation of polybutadiene grafted with styrene and acrylonitrile monomers in a reaction system is provided. The resultant product has a low end content of unreacted residual monomers, low yellowness index, and improved impact strength. The diene rubber is prepared via a process wherein a chain transfer agent is added on a continuous basis to give a rubber substrate having a low crosslink density. In one embodiment of the invention, the process includes charging the reaction system with a pre-selected diene emulsion with a low crosslink density, adding a first portion of at least one of a styrene monomer and acrylonitrile monomer to the diene emulsion, adding to the reaction system, over a predetermined time, an initiator and a second portion of acrylonitrile and styrene monomer, and polymerizing the catalyzed reaction mixture of diene substrate, styrene and acrylonitrile to form ABS graft polymers. In another embodiment, a third monomer isadded after the conversio