Bistability of propagating front with spin‐mode in a frontal polymerization of trimethylopropane triacrylate

We have studied a nonlinear dynamic behaviour in a frontal polymerization process. Frontal polymerization is a mode of converting a monomer into a polymer via a localized reaction zone that propagates as a front. Interest in studying the dynamic behaviour of such propagating fronts is growing. Many studies focus on the spin‐mode front propagation characterized by a nonplanar front having one or more high temperature regions which move in a helical path along the axis of the reaction vessel. In this study, the bistable character of the spin‐mode induced by reaction vessel diameter has been analyzed. First, a reactor with a discontinuously varying diameter for preliminary tests, and second, a conical reactor with a continuously varying diameter have been used. We have obtained evidence of bistability of the spin‐mode front in the frontal polymerization of trimethylopropane triacrylate under certain reaction conditions. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry