Preparation of large-particle-size monodisperse polystyrene latexes in microgravityThree large-particle-size monodisperse latexes (3.44, 4.08, and 4.98 micron diameter) were prepared in an automated four-reactor apparatus on the third orbital mission of the 'Columbia' begun on March 22. Comparison with ground-based controls showed that the 4.98 micron-size flight sample was the more uniform; the uniformity at the other two sizes was about the same. The rates of polymerization in microgravity and on earth were the same within experimental error, demonstrating that radical-initiated vinyl addition polymerizations are unaffected by the weightless environment.
Document ID
19820061146
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vanderhoff, J. W. (Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
El-Aasser, M. S. (Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Micale, F. J. (Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Sudol, E. D. (Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Tseng, C. M. (Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Silwanowicz, A. (Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Kornfeld, D. M. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Vicente, F. A. (GE Space Sciences Laboratory Valley Forge, PA, United States)