Study of Some Variables Affecting Particle Size and Particle Size Distribution of Suspension Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Abstract

A laboratory reactor was designed and constructed to study the effect of both speed of agitation and a concentration of suspension stabilizer on particle size and particle size distribution during the suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate. It was concluded that the average particle size of the prepared polymer powder is directly proportional to the speed of agitation and is inversely proportional to the stabilizer concentration. New empirical equations correlating the average particle size and the particle size distribution (PSD) were derived from the study.

Keywords:

• Suspension polymerization
• methyl methacrylate
• particle size

Notes

* = Average value between the experiment and its duplicate; D_16%, D_50%, and D_84% are measured in μ.

* = Average value of one experiment and its duplicate.

*Average value between one experiment and its duplicate.

D_s and D_v are measured in μ.