GB475552A - Improvements in and relating to the manufacture of polymerisation products - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid monomeric or partially polymerized vinyl compounds are polymerized or partially polymerized during subjection to centrifugal force, followed in the latter case by heating. Vinyl compounds specified are acrylic and methacrylic acids and their esters, organic and inorganic vinyl esters, vinyl ethers and ketones, divinyl acetylene, styrene, and itaconic esters; singly or in admixture. There may also be present dyestuffs, fillers, turbidifying agents, softening agents, natural and artificial resins, chlorcaoutchouc, cellulose ethers and esters, and inserts, e.g. of fabric or wire. The centrifugal force may be produced by rotation of the polymerization chamber about its own or another axis, e.g. tubes are produced by rotating a cylindrical chamber about its axis, disposed horizontally or vertically. The hollow or other bodies produced, e.g. tubes, rods, or blocks, may be released from the chamber, e.g. by immersion in liquids, e.g. water or by the use of an auxiliary coating on the chamber wall. The process may be carried out continuously, e.g. liquid monomer may be continuously passed into a rotating tube, to produce a rod or tube; under normal, reduced, or increased pressure, e.g. in the presence of inert gases under pressure; at an increased temperature; and in the presence of catalysts, light, or both. Films may be produced by skiving from tubes produced in tubular moulds. In lining containers a primer may be used, e.g. gelatine, drying oils, soap, phenol-formaldehyde resins, alone or mixed with polymers such as polyacrylic esters or polyvinyl acetate, or p a single coating of an adherent polymer may be applied, e.g. of polyacrylic esters or polyvinyl esters. In examples: (1) an internally highly-polished iron or glass tube, 25 per cent filled with a mixture of methyl methacrylate, di-n-butyl phthalate and benzoyl peroxide, is rotated about its axis, a tube of polymer being obtained; (2) an iron cylinder as in example 1 is first 2 per cent filled with methyl acrylate and benzoyl peroxide, and this is polymerized to form a layer, then a further layer may be produced by polymerizing methyl methacrylate or styrene or mixtures thereof; (3) as in example 1, but as starting material there is used a mixture of methyl acrylate, vinyl chloride, and benzoyl peroxide, and the process is carried out under a nitrogen pressure of 20 atmospheres; (4) a centrifuge has two opposite cylindrical containers rotated about an axis such that the centrifugal force acts perpendicularly to the bases thereof, the containers being 80 per cent filled with vinyl acetate and benzoyl peroxide, and two cylindrical bodies are produced; (5) apparatus is used as in example 4, but concentric pairs of cylinders are used, and methyl methacrylate and benzoyl peroxide are polymerized therein to produce hollow bodies. The Provisional Specification refers to the use of liquid unsaturated organic compounds or mixtures containing them which upon polymerization yield solid or semi-solid products.ALSO:Liquid monomeric or partially polymerized vinyl compounds are polymerized during subjection to centrifugal force. In lining containers a primer may be used, e.g. gelatine, drying oils, soap, phenol-formaldehyde resins, alone or mixed with polymers such as polyacrylic esters or polyvinyl acetate. In an example: an internally highly - polished iron cylinder, 2 per cent filled with a mixture of methyl acrylate and benzoyl peroxide, is rotated about its axis and a coating of polymer produced which is covered with a further layer by polymerizing methyl methacrylate or styrene or mixtures thereof. The Provisional Specification refers to the use of liquid unsaturated organic compounds or mixtures containing them yielding solid or semi-solid polymers.ALSO:Liquid monomeric or partially polymerized vinyl compounds are polymerized or partially polymerized during subjection to centrifugal force, followed in the latter case by heating. Vinyl compounds specified are acrylic and methacrylic acids and their esters, organic and inorganic vinyl esters, vinyl ethers and ketones, divinyl acetylene, styrene, and itaconic esters; singly or in admixture. There may also be present dyestuffs, fillers, turbidifying agents, softening agents, natural and artificial resins, chlorcaoutchouc, cellulose ethers and esters, and inserts, e.g. of fabric or wire. The centrifugal force may be produced by rotation of the polymerization chamber about its own or another axis, e.g. tubes are produced by rotating a cylindrical chamber about its axis, disposed horizontally or vertically. The hollow or other bodies produced, e.g. tubes, rods, or blocks, may be released from the chamber, e.g. by immersion in liquids, e.g. water or by the use of an auxiliary coating on the chamber wall. The process may be carried out continuously, e.g. liquid monomer may be continuously passed into a rotating tube, to produce a rod or tube; under normal, reduced, or increased pressure, e.g. in the presence of inert gases under pressure; at an increased temperature; and in the presence of catalysts, light, or both. Films may be produced by skiving from tubes produced in tubular moulds. In lining containers a primer may be used, e.g. gelatine, drying oils, soap, phenol-formaldehyde resins, alone or mixed with polymers such as polyacrylic esters or polyvinyl acetate, or a single coating of an adherent polymer may be applied, e.g. of polyacrylic esters or polyvinyl esters. In examples: (1) an internally highly polished iron or glass tube, 25 per cent filled with a mixture of methyl methacrylate, di-n-butyl phthalate and benzoyl peroxide, is rotated about its axis, a tube of polymer being obtained: (2) an iron cylinder as in example 1 is first 2 per cent filled with methyl acrylate and benzoyl peroxide, and this is polymerized to form a layer, then a further layer may be produced by polymerizing methyl methacrylate or styrene or mixtures thereof; (3) as in example 1, but as starting material there is used a mixture of methyl acrylate, vinyl chloride, and benzoyl peroxide and the process is carried out under a nitrogen pressure of 20 atmospheres; (4) a centrifuge has two opposite cylindrical containers rotated about an axis such that the centrifugal force acts perpendicularly to the bases thereof, the containers being 80 per cent filled with vinyl acetate and benzoyl peroxide, and two cylindrical bodies are produced; (5) apparatus is used as in example 4, but concentric pairs of cylinders are used and methyl methacrylate and benzoyl peroxide are polymerized therein to produce hollow bodies. The Provisional Specification refers to the use of liquid unsaturated organic compounds or mixtures containing them which upon polymerization yield solid or semi-solid products.