Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus (100) and method of reducing volatiles in a mass processable polymer. The apparatus comprises a multi-chambered devolatilizer (160) having first and second collectors (220, 225) contained therein. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method that includes passing the mass processable polymer stream from a polymerization process to a first devolatilizer (130). The method continues by passing the polymer stream from the first devolatilizer to the multi-chambered devolatilizer. The apparatus and method allows for the production of a polymer having less than 100 ppm of volatiles.
Abstract:
It has been discovered that improved polystyrene products may be obtained by polymerizing styrene in the presence of at least one multifunctional initiator that is trifunctional or tetrafunctional and at least one lower functionality initiator that is difunctional or monofunctional. These polymers may have increased Mz, increased MFI, and increased MWD. Optionally the resin may include at least one chain transfer agent, at least one cross-linking agent and/or a styrene-conjugated diene-styrene block copolymer. The presence of the multifunctional initiator tends to cause more branched structures in the polystyrene.