Development of the Processing of Styrene-Butadiene Diblock Copolymer Production
The process of styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer (SBDC) production in the presence of the initiating system based on n-butyllithium (initiator) - mixture of alkoxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals (modifier) was studied. The effect of the modifier on kinetics of the copolymerization process and the characteristics of copolymer produced was investigated. The influence of the concentration of styrene units in copolymer on the final characteristics of rubber was also studied. Optimum rate of the copolymerization process and the required level of micro- and macrostructure of copolymer is provided at a molar ratio of initiator to modifier 1:0,05. The results of commercial development of the technology of SBDC production were described. Dependences of long-term run of polymerizer, plant capacity, and block distribution of monomer units in copolymer on the apparatus design, temperature and other technological parameters of the continuous process of SBDC production were shown.