Free Radical and Ionic Polymerizations: PS and SBS Rubber

Abstract

This chapter explores the modeling of manufacturing processes for polystyrene (PS) and poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) (SBS) rubber, emphasizing their industrial relevance and production challenges. Unlike traditional polyolefin-focused literature, which often excludes PS, we incorporate it due to its significant production volume and valuable properties such as high dimensional stability and rigidity. PS, primarily produced through free radical polymerization, presents unique modeling challenges, notably the formation of oligomers, a complex aspect rarely addressed in depth in existing literature. Additionally, the chapter examines the production of SBS rubber, a significant styrene-butadiene copolymer produced through ionic polymerization with living initiators, paralleling the precision of metallocene catalysts in polyolefins. Our approach combines free radical and ionic polymerization modeling, offering insights into process kinetics, component characterization, and polymer property prediction. This integrated modeling methodology enhances understanding of these commercially important polymers, contributing novel approaches for process optimization and production scalability.