The Initiator-Activator Relationship in the Cold-Cured Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate.

The profile of the room temperature polymerization of methyl methacrylate using initiator benzoyl peroxide and activator N, N-di-methyl-p-toluidine is shown to exhibit two exotherms indicative of a two-step process or mechanism. The time-temperature profiles clearly differentiate between the cases of extensive polymerization and poor polymerization. The rate of setup of the polymerization has been found to be related to the concentration levels of the initiator-activator and the mole ratios used. Although polymerization can be affected over a wide range of concentrations, there is an optimum mole ratio of initiator to activator that impacts the time factor.