Thermal Graft Copolymerization of Styrene with Rubber. II. Topochemistry of Styrene Copolymerization with Polybutadiene in Bulk and Its Connection with High Impact Polystyrene Morphology

Thermal styrene copolymerization reactions with rubber which took place in the rubber phase were investigated with regard to irregularities of component distribution between phases and continuous change of ratio of their volumes up to the process end. The polymerization rate in terms of rubber phase was found to increase; at styrene conversions of 30–35%, the polymerization rates in both phases were getting equal because of the growth in the rubber phase including both grafting and homopolymerization rate.