Liquid formulation for reaction injection molding and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A liquid formulation for reaction injection molding for polymerizing a norbornene-based monomer in the presence of a metathesis polymerization catalyst including tungsten as a center metal, the liquid formulation containing a norbornene-based monomer, an activator of the catalyst, and an ether compound represented by formula (1): the liquid formulation being obtained by mixing the norbornene-based monomer and the activator in the presence of at least the ether compound. The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding of the present invention can be suitably used in the field of manufacture of reaction injection-molded articles. Further, the reaction injection-molded article of the present invention has excellent mechanical properties and finishing of surface of the manufactured articles, so that the reaction injection-molded article can be suitably used in applications of automobile parts, parts of housing facilities, and the like.

1 . A liquid formulation for reaction injection molding for polymerizing a norbornene-based monomer in the presence of a metathesis polymerization catalyst comprising tungsten as a center metal, the liquid formulation comprising a norbornene-based monomer, an activator of the catalyst, and an ether compound represented by formula (1): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein, each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  independently stands for a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and each of R 5  and R 6  independently stands for an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with proviso that when R 5  and R 6  are a methyl group, at least one of R 1  to R 4  is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, 
         the liquid formulation obtained by mixing the norbornene-based monomer and the activator in the presence of at least the ether compound. 
       
     
     
         2 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing is carried out by mixing a liquid mixture comprising the ether compound and the activator with the norbornene-based monomer. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing is carried out by mixing a liquid mixture comprising the ether compound and the norbornene-based monomer with the activator. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing is carried out by simultaneously mixing the norbornene-based monomer, the activator and the ether compound. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the blending proportion of the ether compound to the activator (ether compound/activator) is in a molar ratio of from 0.1/1 to 30/1. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the ether compound represented by formula (1) is dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid formulation for reaction injection molding according to  claim 1 , wherein a gelation time upon mixing with the metathesis polymerization catalyst including tungsten as a center metal is 2 seconds or longer. 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing a liquid formulation for reaction injection molding as defined in  claim 1 , comprising the step of:
 mixing the norbornene-based monomer and the activator in the presence of at least the ether compound.   
     
     
         9 . A method for manufacturing a reaction injection-molded article, comprising the step of subjecting a reactive liquid mixture obtained by mixing a liquid formulation for reaction injection molding as defined in  claim 1 , with a metathesis polymerization catalyst comprising tungsten as a center metal to bulk polymerization in a mold, thereby carrying out reaction injection molding. 
     
     
         10 . The method for manufacturing a reaction injection-molded article according to  claim 9 , wherein the reactive liquid mixture is prepared by mixing a liquid formulation for reaction injection molding with a liquid formulation comprising the norbornene-based monomer and the metathesis polymerization catalyst comprising tungsten as a center metal. 
     
     
         11 . A reaction injection-molded article obtained by the method as defined in  claim 9 .