Improvements in or relating to Polymeric Bodies

1,195,533. Polymers containing a metal complex or chelate. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. 12 June, 1967 [15 June, 1966], No. 26816/66. Heading C3P. [Also in Divisions C4 and H1] A polymeric body is formed by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a metal complex or chelate in the absence of a polymerization catalyst and irradiating the mixture for a time sufficient to effect substantially complete polymerization of the monomer. The polymerization is effected in one step using a low dose rate of gamma radiation, or in two stages using a higher dose rate. Preferred metal compounds are cobalt thiocyanate, cobalt (III)-1- nitroso-2-naphtholate and chelates of the rare earths with benzoyl acetone, salicylaldehyde or dibenzoyl methane. In the examples, methyl methacrylate containing one of the said cobalt compounds, europium (III) or samarium benzoyl acetonate, or terbium (III) or europium dibenzoyl methane complex, is subjected to cobalt-60 gamma radiation in glass tubes to yield polymers, in rod form, which are cured by heating.