Peter G. Odell

Suspension polymerization processes

Several processes can be employed for manufacturing of polymer materials. Each process presents some intrinsic features that lead to production of resins with peculiar structural and morphological characteristics that define the final polymer properties and the end-use application of the obtained polymer material. Suspension polymerization processes are extensively used because of their many advantages, including easy separation of the polymer particles, easy removal of the heat of reaction, easy temperature control, and low levels of impurities and additives in the final polymer resin. For this reason, suspension polymerization processes are suitable for production of polymer resins intended for many distinct applications, including biotechnological, medical, and dental applications. The main objective of this article is to discuss the fundamental aspects of suspension polymerization processes, focusing upon the effects of the main process variables on the performance of suspension polymerizations. Representative types of suspension polymerization (eg, pearl, precipitation, suspension-emulsion, reverse, microsuspension, and seeded polymerizations), copolymerization, determination of reactivity ratios, and typical operation conditions practiced in commercial processes are also discussed. Keywords: suspension polymerization; polymer; particle; monitoring; copolymerization