Oleochemicals and the processing of polymeric resins — Part 3 Available to Purchase

An investigation has been carried out of the catalytic action of iron dipalmitate on the polymerisation of styrene, and of lauryl mercaptan and oleic acid, and polystyrene having good particle size distribution has been obtained by the polymerisation of styrene in the presence of stearic acid, which can also act as a catalyst in the bulk polymerisation of this monomer, optionally used along with styrene oxide. The fatty acid has also been employed along with diphenylamine and hydroxyacetophenone, to give catalysts systems for the polymerisation of styrene monomer, the acid ensuring brilliance in the moulded polymer. Stearoyl peroxide functions as a catalyst in the bulk polymerisation of styrene, whilst zinc stearate can work as a catalyst to the thermal degradation of polystyrene.