On Co60 gamma ray‐initiated emulsion polymerization

A study has been made of the Co60 γ-ray-initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene; conversion rates have been measured by a dilatometric method. The dependence of polymerization rate on monomer concentration and radiation intensity has been determined for each monomer. It has been shown that the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate can be described by accepted theories of emulsion polymerization; in the case of styrene a dependence of intensity exponent on monomer concentration has been found. Such a dependence does not occur when conventional initiating systems are used, and cannot be explained without some modification of theory.