The autowave modes of solid phase polymerization of metal-containing monomers in two- and three-dimensional fiberglass-filled matrices

The phenomenon of autowave (frontal) solid phase polymerization of metal-co ntaining monomers based on metal-acrylamide complexes is considered. The co mparison of the features of autowave processes realized in both the single- component matrices of the monomer and the matrices filled by the fiberglass materials is performed. The unstable regimes of the polymerization wave as well as the conditions for the stabilization of the flat front in the fill ed matrices are described. The peculiarities of the frontal regimes in the three- and two-dimensional media are studied. Some possibilities for using of autowave polymerization in the fabrication of the polymer-fiberglass com posites and composition prepregs are discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1054-1500(99)00202-5].