Monomer Reactivity Ratios of Tung Oil and Styrene in Copolymerization

Triglyceride oils such as linseed oil, oiticica oil, tall oil, and tung oil have long been used in varnishes, alkyds, and other coating formulations. When copolymerized with vinyl monomers, a wide range of commercial products are obtained. The overall objective of the present research program is directed toward the modification of the mechanical properties of glassy polystyrene, PS, by blending it with random copolymers of tung oil and styrene, TO-S. The specific objective of this paper is the understanding of the structural characteristics of the TO-S copolymer from studies of the monomer reactivity ratios during bulk copolymerization. The values of the reactivity ratios provide knowledge about the general composition of the copolymer; control over the fabrication process, molecular design; and criteria for optimizing the modifier effects of the rubber compound on the PS. New polymers based on industrial oils from agricultrual sources represent an important field of research, presenting an alternative way of reducing the actual dependence on petrochemical derivatives (1,2).