Patent ID: 6160059
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: C08F

Abstract:
A bulk polymerization process for preparing a solid acrylic resin, which comprises the steps of:(a) charging into a continuous tube reactor, a feedstock of at least one acrylic monomer and a polymerization initiator;(b) maintaining a flow rate through the reactor sufficient to provide a residence time of the feedstock in the reactor of from about one minute to about one hour;(c) maintaining a pressure of about 80 psig to about 500 psig;(d) maintaining the resulting molten resin mixture with a heat transfer medium at a temperature within the range from about 180.degree. C. to a maximum of about 260.degree. C.; and(e) devolatilizing the molten resin mixture exiting the reactor to remove unreacted monomers to provide a solid acrylic resin upon cooling.