Mathematical modeling of radially propagating polymerization waves with the gel effect

Frontal polymerization (FP) is a method of manufacturing polymer via a self-propagating reaction wave. There are two types of FP processes: thermal and isothermal. In all previous works the two types of FP were studied separately. In this work we model a process in which both thermal and isothermal FP can occur, and demonstrate the transition from isothermal to thermal FP. Our model describes the radial propagation of an isothermal front from the lateral surface of a test tube toward the axis, which may give rise to the thermal mode of propagation due to the temperature build-up. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.