Biobased thermosets from the free‐radical copolymerization of conjugated linseed oil

New polymeric thermosets were prepared through the bulk free‐radical copolymerization of 100% conjugated linseed oil, acrylonitrile, and divinylbenzene. Under the appropriate reaction conditions and with the appropriate curing sequence, 61–96 wt % of the oil was incorporated into the crosslinked thermosets. The resulting yellow, transparent thermosets varied from being soft and flexible to being hard and brittle. Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis showed that these thermosets had good mechanical properties and thermal stability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 979–985, 2007