ABSTRACT
Radiation-induced polymerization as a branch of science had its beginning in the 1950s. The use of thermal and photochemical initiation is limited to a certain extent. The use of the former method is limited by unfavourable conditions of chain propagation at high temperatures because secondary processes occur leading to irregular, branched, or even crosslinked polymers. The possibility of polymerizing monomers which are difficult to polymerize by conventional methods. In particular, this group comprises some fluorine-containing compounds forming valuable thermally stable and chemically resistant polymers, monomers with a symmetrically substituted double bond, and allyl monomers. The former defect is eliminated in many cases by finding corresponding engineering solutions and automating the production, e.g. by carrying out the process according to a continuous scheme with the removal of the polymer from the radiation zone. The role played by the radical ion in initiation will be considered in the section on cationic and anionic polymerization.
