Copolymerization of Styrene with Bis(4-methacryloylmethylphenyl) Sulphide

Abstract A new monomer was prepared in the reaction of bis(4-chloromethylphenyl)sulphide with potassium salt of methacrylic acid. The monomer was characterized by elementary analysis, IR, 1 >H-NMR and 13C-NMR analyses. After determination of the structure, studies on its solubility with common as well as vinyl solvents such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and divinylbenzene were carried out. Besides, a hardening system for styrene solutions of bis(4-methacryloylmethylphenyl)sulphide (BMMPhS) was chosen. Combinations of the following components: benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, N,N-dimethylaniline, and cobalt naphthenate were used for hardening. Polymerization of the following styrene solutions of BMMPhS: 50,40,30, 20 and 10% was performed. The obtained copolymers were tested for mechanical properties like: Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness of Shore's and Brinnell's methods. For the chosen copolymers, thermal properties were determined.