Autoacceleration (gel effect, Trommsdorff–Norrish effect) is a dangerous reaction behavior that can occur in free-radical polymerization systems. It is due to the localized increases in viscosity of the polymerizing system that slow termination reactions. The removal of reaction obstacles therefore causes a rapid increase in the overall rate of reaction, leading to possible reaction runaway and altering the characteristics of the polymers produced.[1]
- ^ Alger, Mark. Polymer Science Dictionary. New York: Elsevier Applied Science, 1989. 28.