GB614198A - Improvements in or relating to the polymerisation of organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0614198/IV(a)/1> <PICT:0614198/IV(a)/2> <PICT:0614198/IV(a)/3> Polymerizable compounds or mixtures thereof are continuously introduced in a liquid or semi-liquid state into a continuously formed sheath of an inert material, the sheath being continuously passed through one or more zones in which the polymerizable compound/s is subjected to heat and/or actinic light, the sheath being removed on obtaining the desired degree of polymerization. Vinyl esters, styrene and its derivatives and acrylic derivatives such as methyl methacrylate are specified. Solvent, bulk or aqueous emulsion methods may be used. Partial polymers may be used as starting material. In forming the sheath a metal sheet or sheets may be suitably bent and seamed or metals such as lead may be melt extruded, any desired cross section being used. Catalysts such as tertiary butyl perbenzoate may be employed. The polymerization zones may be at varying temperatures, each with different dwell-times. In Figs. 1 and 2, a metal sheet 1 is unwound from roll 2 and shaped into a box-like sheath 8 by shaping rolls 5 and hollow former 6. The monomer is fed by pipe 7 into the sheath which then passes through a series of oil baths 9 in which oil sprays 12, fed by pump 14, project oil, heated by the heater 13, on to the sheath. Cooling is effected by the water spray 16. In Fig. 4 a lead sheath is extruded from the die 19, monomer being passed into the sheath by the air-cooled tube 20. By rollers 22 the sheath is passed through polymerizing zones and is finally cut by the rotating knives 23 and pulled away from the polymer by the corrugated rollers 24.