Abstract:
Polymers and copolymers of unsaturated organic esters are produced by exposing the monomers to radioactive radiation of an intensity of at least 10,000 R/hr. for a period between 1/2 hour and 48 hours. The radiation may comprise gamma rays emitted by naturally occuring radioactive materials, fission by-products of nuclear reactions, or elements made radioactive by neutron radiation, or may comprise beta rays, alpha particles or high velocity electrons. The monomers may be irradiated in solution in an inert solvent such as a saturated hydrocarbon, carbon tetrachloride or dioxane. Preferred esters are those of low molecular weight unsaturated monobasic or dibasic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule with saturated or unsaturated straight chain or branched chain aliphatic or cyclic alcohols having 1 to 30 carbon atoms per molecule such as decyl methacrylate, the methacrylate, acrylate or fumarate of the mixture of saturated straight chain alcohols produced by the hydrogenation of cocoanut oil, the methacrylate of branched chain alcohols produced by oxonation of C7 to C12 olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen followed by catalytic hydrogenation, vinyl stearate, hexyl or octyl oleate, or the vinyl ester of mixed acids produced by the hydrolysis of cocoanut oil. Preferred copolymers are those of C8-C20 fumarates, maleates or itaconates with vinyl acetate, isopropenyl acetate, vinyl butyrate or the vinyl ester of cocoanut oil acids. The polymers of the invention may be used as additives to lubricating and lighter hydrocarbon oils, greases and paraffin wax.ALSO:Polymers and copolymers of unsaturated organic esters (see Group IV(a)) are produced by exposing the monomers to radioactive radiation of an intensity of at least 10,000 R/hr. for a period between 1/2 hour and 48 hours. The radiation may comprise gamma rays emitted by naturally occurring radioactive materials, fission by-products of nuclear reactions, or elements made radioactive by neutron radiation, or may comprise beta rays, alpha particles, or high velocity electrons. The monomers may be irradiated in solution in an inert solvent such as a saturated hydrocarbon, carbon tetrachloride or dioxane. The polymers and copolymers may be used as additives to paraffinic, naphthenic or mixed base lubricating oils, greases, paraffin wax, diesel fuel, domestic heating oil, mineral seal oil and kerosene, with or without other additives such as dyes, antioxidants, tackiness agents, pour depressors and viscosity index improvers.