Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

PRODUCTION OF POLYFORMALDEHYDE BY RADIATION-INDUCED POLYMERIZATION OF TRIOXANE

Journal Article · · Plasticheskie Massy
OSTI ID:4055113

A study was made of the preparation of polyoxymethylene by the solid- state gamma radioinduced polymerization of trioxane. The yield and viscosity of the polyoxymethylene were determined as a function of temperature, irradiation dose, dose rate, and trioxane crystal size. In the 20--115 deg C range at a constant irradiation dose (Co/sup 60/ source, 0.54 Mrad) and constant dose rate (100 r/sec), the yield of polyoxymethylene increased with temperature to reach a maximum at the melting point, but the ln n of the polymer decreased with temperature from 0.82 at 20 deg C to 0.08--0.15 at 56 deg C. Polymerization did not take place at 0 to --198 deg C. Polymer yield increased with the integral irradiation dose and trioxane crystal size; the highest yield was 60% for large trioxane crystals at 0.54 Mrad, 100 r/sec, and 56 deg C. The ln n of the polymer increased with irradiation dose only between 0.24 and 0.36 Mrad, then sharply decreased, probably owing to polymer degradation at higher irradiation doses. Large trioxane crystals yielded a crystalline polymer that can be separated into individual fibers; small trioxane crystals yielded a powdery polymer. Post polymerization, which was observed in the irradiated trioxane, indicated that the radiation polymerization is free-radical in mechanism. Inhibition of trioxane polymerization in the presence of a free-radical polymerization inhibitor (hydroquinone and carbon tetrachloride) also indicated a freeradical polymerization mechanism. The polymer has a melting point of 178 -- 180 deg C. A thermomechanical curve is given. (AID Press)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-017911
OSTI ID:
4055113
Journal Information:
Plasticheskie Massy, Journal Name: Plasticheskie Massy Vol. Vol: No. 12
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English