GB730869A - Improvements in and relating to thermoset styrene ªÏ-polymers - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermoset, infusible and insoluble products are made by heating copolymers of more than 50 per cent of styrene, at least 5 per cent of an acrylic acid and 0 to 20 per cent of another ethylenically unsaturated compound, with diphenylolpropane diglycidyl ether at 150 DEG C., using an amine or quaternary ammonium compound as a catalyst in an amount of at least 0.5 per cent of the copolymer. Acrylic acids include acrylic, haloacrylic, methacrylic and crotonic acids, and the other unsaturated compound may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, octyl, methoxymethyl and chloroethyl acrylates, methacrylates and a -chloracrylates; acrylonitrile; vinyl and vinylidene chloride and fluoride; vinyl acetate, chloracetate, propionate and stearate; vinyl naphthalene and methyl vinyl ketone. Suitable catalysts are pyridine, piperidine, dimethyl aniline, diethylene triamine, tetramethyl ammonium chloride and trimethylbenzyl ammonium acetate. The original copolymers may be prepared in solution, e.g. using ethyl and amyl acetates, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene and xylene, with benzoyl peroxide as catalyst. Pigments, e.g. titanium dioxide, dyes, plasticizers, and reinforcing agents such as a 10 per cent solution of polyethylene in toluene may be included. Solutions of the copolymers may be used as adhesives, in laminates and as protective coatings, which are rendered insoluble by the heat treatment. U.S.A. Specifications 2,375,960 and 2,421,876, German Specification 544,326, and French Specification 881,981 are referred to.ALSO:Diphenylolpropane diglycidyl ether is prepared by reacting phenol with acetone in the presence of an acid catalyst, followed by reaction with an excess of epichlorohydrin in the presence of aqueous caustic.