Abstract: | High‐intensity ultrasound was used to initiate the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The polymerization rate varied with the sonication time, the intensity of the ultrasound, and the initiator concentration of poly (methyl methacrylate) in the monomer. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra, obtained by the spin trapping technique, testified that free radicals were produced during the sonication process, and the concentration of radicals also changed with the sonication condition. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1731–1735, 2002 |