Complex-radical terpolymerization of glycidyl(methyl) methacrylates, styrene, and maleic anhydride

The ternary copolymerizations of glycidlyl(methyl) methacrylates (GMA and M MA), styrene (St), and maleic anhydride (MA), considered as acceptor(A(1))d onor-acceptor(A(2)) systems, were carried out in methyl ethyl ketone in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as initiator at 50-80 degrees C. Constants of copolymerization, complex formation, and some kinetic parameters for the m onomer systems studied were determined by the methods of Hanna-Ashbaugh, Ke len-Tudos, and Seiner-Litt, as well as by dilatometry, respectively. The re sults show that terpolymerizations were carried out through primary "comple x" mechanisms at near-binary copolymerization of GMA (or MMA) with the St M A complex. The terpolymers synthesized which comprised free anhydride and e poxide reactive groups easily underwent crosslinking by thermotreatment and by UV irradiation, which was confirmed by DTA, TMA, and FTIR analyses. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.