Investigation of some physico‐chemical properties of vinyl acetate‐itaconic acid copolymers

Abstract The influence of the quantity and the method of introduction of itaconic acid in the polymerization system on the molecular mass and the molecular mass distribution of the obtained vinyl acetate‐itaconic acid copolymers and some of the physico‐chemical properties of the resulting products are studied. It is established that quantities up to 2 to 3 mole % itaconic acid do not change essentially the reaction rate and the average molecular mass of the copolymers, but the content of itaconic acid improves the adhesion to metals and the surface activity of the poly(vinyl alcohol) which was obtained from the products.