Process and reactor for synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight acrylic polymers

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for producing high molecular weight (HMW) and ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) acrylic polymers having unique polymer tacticity and exhibiting enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. This process comprises polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator that results in a 'living-like polymer' utilizing a multi-step approach. In conducting the process of this invention the 'living-like polymer' is further dissolved in a liquid carrier, wherein the said liquid carrier is a reactive diluent that can be reacted subsequently by an addition polymerization process to create a block- or multi-block, copolymer or homopolymer. This process can be progressively repeated with the same or various different reactive diluents to generate desired architecture and molecular weight polymer(s) which can be used in further processing procedures to be manufactured directly into finished articles.