Styrenation of castor oil and linseed oil by macromer method

In this study a novel macromer technique has been described for the styrenation of triglyceride oils. Macromers were prepared through the interesterification of castor oil with linseed oil followed by esterification with acrylic acid. In this preparation various castor oil/linseed oil ratios were applied to obtain a macromer which gave a copolymer with good film properties after copolymerization with styrene. Macromers were styrenated at 100°C using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The styrenation leads to improved film properties with the related interesterification product although castor oil is a non-drying oil.