THE CONCEPT OF CONVERSION DISTRIBUTION IN REACTIVE PROCESSING

A new concept of conversion distribution applied to the continuous che mical modification and polymerization of polymers in a twin screw extr uder was discussed. The kinetics and the residence time distribution f unction (RTD) are two undissociable parameters in reactive extrusion b ecause their combination reflects the degree of homogeneity of the mod ified polymer at the die die exit of the extruder. A function G defini ng the distribution of the modification rate allowed us to evaluate th e distribution of the extent of the conversion around the mean convers ion. This study has underlined the predominant role of the kinetics on the structural homogeneity of the modified product. This new concept was developed, within a framework of reactive processing, from previou s works on chemical modification of polymers and polycondensation in c orotating twin screw extruder. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.