New Polymers Based on Industrial Oils from Renewable Resources

摘要

Progress is reported on a project to investigate and develop new high polymers based wholly or in part on agricultural products, in particular, industrial oilseeds. Objectives included the following: (1) selection of appropriate raw materials; (2) synthesis and characterization of rubber-like products from natural oils; (3) characterization of final polyblends in terms of fundamental morphology; and (4) evaluation of cost effectiveness and transfer of processes developed to industrial organizations. Based on previous success with novel techniques for combining rubber-like polymers with other polymers such as polystyrene in the form of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), this approach was selected as a route to the new products desired. Results demonstrated that several epoxy-containing oils could be converted to elastomeric materials and then to IPN's with polystyrene. Also, it was possible to epoxidize olefinic bonds by a convenient method. Both reinforced elastomers and rubber-modified plastics were produced. Experimental methods are described together with properties of the products obtained. Future plans and financial aspects are presented.