Modelling of Polymer Gel Formation and Gel Reactions with Monte Carlo Methods for 3-dimensional Networks

The thermal treatment of poly-(p-methyl-styrene) was investigated experimentally. In contrast to polystyrene, gels are formed and decomposed again, depending on temperature. Based on the experimental results a reaction model for polymer decomposition, polymer gel formation and polymer gel degradation was developed. A Monte Carlo simulation program using methods from percolation theory is presented which covers thermal gel formation, gel formation caused by radiation, gel formation during polymerization, thermal, mechanical and ultrasonic decomposition of polymer gels and highly branched polymers.