Abstract
Polymerization of vinyl acetate in methanol initiated by α, α′-azo-bisisobutyronitrile is performed in a sealed tube. The effects of polymerization temperature and concentration of monomer, initiator and water on inhibition period, rate and degree of polymerization are investigated. Inhibition period decreases as the temperature and the initiator concentration increases. The rate of polymerization is independent of the water content, and becomes greater by higher concentration of monomer and initiator and higher temperature. The degree of polymerization is higher by higher monomer concentration, lower temperature and initiator concentration and greater content of water. The relationship between the degree of degradation by saponification and conversion is almost independent of polymerization conditions except monemer concentration. The ratio of 100PA and 0PA, which are the extrapolated values of polymerization degree of polyvinylalcohol to 100 and 0% conversion, is almost independent of the conditions of polymerization. The average value of this ratio is 0.63.
