Radiation-induced polymerization of cyclohexene sulfide in the solid state

Abstract Radiation‐induced solid‐state polymerization of cyclohexene sulfide has been investigated. Differential thermal analysis shows that this compound has a phase transition point at −74°C and behaves as a plastic crystal in the temperature range from −74 to −20°C (melting point). By rapid cooling, this plastic crystal was easily supercooled, and below −166°C a glassy crystal, i.e., a supercooled nonequilibrium state of plastic crystal, was obtained. In‐source polymerization proceeded in the plastic crystalline state. Postpolymerization of glassy crystalline monomer irradiated at −196°C occurred above −166°C (glass transition point) during subsequent heating.