Method for adjusting the particle size of popcorn polymers during popcorn polymerization

US6677417B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Helmut Meffert · Mannheim, DE
• Werner Bertleff · Viernheim, DE
• Michael Kerber · Cleveland Heights, US
• Peter Spang · Sankt Ingbert, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F26/06
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The particle size of popcorn polymers is established during the popcorn polymerization by a process in which reaction mixtures forming popcorn polymers and comprising monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and a crosslinking agent are polymerized in the absence of oxygen and polymerization initiators at up to 200° C. and in which the popcorn polymerization is carried out as a precipitation polymerization in water or in the absence of a solvent and the particle size of the popcorn polymers is controlled in the range from 1 &mgr;m to 10 mm by passing an inert gas stream into the reaction mixture, and popcorn polymers having a mean particle diameter of from >400 &mgr;m to 1500 &mgr;m are used as beverage clarifiers, antidiarrheal drugs and disintegration accelerators for tablets.