Spin Mode-Instabilities in Propagating Fronts of Polymerization

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-1995

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

We have observed two instabilities in propagating fronts of methacrylic acid polymerization, both of which give the appearance of a spin mode. One occurs with liquid monomer when the tube is subjected to an external airflow to increase the rate of heat loss. It is novel instability caused by convection related to bubble formation. Spinning modes very similar to ones observed in solid-state combustion reactions were observed when the initial methacrylic acid/initiator solution was maintained at 0°C. The helical pattern left in the polymer and temperature profile measurements confirm for the first time the presence of a true spin mode in a constant velocity polymerization front.

Publication Title

Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena

Volume

84

Issue

41276

First Page

260

Last Page

268

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS