The photopolymerization of penta-erythritol tetra-glycidyl ether (init
iator Degacure KI-85) was studied by a du Pont 910 type DSC. From our
experimental results the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Durin
g the cationic polymerization reaction the lifetime of the initiating
centers are long compared to the lifetime of free radicals in case of
radical polymerization. (2) The rate of deactivation of the initiating
centers increases with increasing temperature.