Living poly(alpha-methylstyrene) near the polymerization line: VIII. Mass density, viscosity, and surface tension in tetrahydrofuran

We consider the polymerization of alpha -methylstyrene, initiated by sodium naphthalide in the solvent tetrahydrofuran on time scales that permit full thermodynamic equilibrium between the monomer and the polymer. We present new measurements as a function of temperature of the mass density, the shea r viscosity, and the liquid-vapor surface tension, and we compare the data to theoretical expectations when the polymerization is viewed as a phase tr ansition. The mass density is well described by either mean field or nonmea n field theories. The shear viscosity increases as the average degree of po lymerization (DP) increases, but the exponent 3.4 is not reached, presumabl y because the DP is too small. The surface tension increases as the DP incr eases, indicating depletion of the polymer from the surface. (C) 2001 Ameri can Institute of Physics.