Events in the mould during heat processing of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Recordings of temperature and pressure in the mould have raised questions concerning the flow of poly(methylmethacrylate) during heat processing. Three simple experiments investigated flow of polymerised and partly polymerised poly(methylmethacrylate). Flow was not observed at normal processing temperatures. These results, combined with the results of previous work, suggest that as the mould heats up, thermal expansion of the dough exceeds polymerisation contraction, causing increase in pressure rather than flow. Maximum pressure occurs at maximum temperature. Thereafter, thermal expansion is reduced, polymerisation contraction increases and pressure in the mould drops. When the lowest pressure is reached the poly(methylmethacrylate) is polymerised.