Structural modification of expandable polystyrene. II. Copolymerization with silicone acrylate

Conventional expandable polystyrene (EPS) was modified by the preparation of copolymers containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% silicone acrylate. Copolymeric expandable polystyrene (CEPS) samples were characterized with various techniques. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy was used for the determination of composition, and gel permeation chromatography was used for the determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the glass‐transition temperatures of the CEPS samples increased with an increasing silicone acrylate content. The surface properties of the copolymers were investigated by contact angle measurement and SEM imaging. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 128–132, 2006