The kinetics of styrene-free radical bulk polymerization was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data obtained from DSC thermograms were used to model and predict the autoacceleration during styrene polymerization and to understand how it is influenced by temperature. The experimental data were well described by the estimated kinetic model. The model included two processes (the first-order reaction and autoacceleration), because they occur simultaneously as two parallel reactions rather than being strictly separated. It was found that the autoacceleration activation energy is approximately four times lower than the energy of the first-order reaction. In addition, the first-order reaction followed by the autoacceleration of the styrene-free radical bulk polymerization occurs simultaneously only between 41.7 and 110.5 1C. Keywords: autoacceleration; differential scanning calorimetry; polymerization kinetics; polystyrene; styrene-free radical bulk polymerization INTRODUCTION It is well known that the free radical bulk polymerization of vinyl monomers (derivates of acrylic and methacrylic acids, vinyl acetate, styrene, ethylene and so on) is characterized by the autoacceleration phenomenon. 1-3 The free radical polymerization of these monomers can be explained by classical theory up to definite conversion. After that conversion, autoacceleration of polymerization occurs. The onset of autoacceleration is the moment when the polymerization rate departs from the value anticipated by the classical theory of free radical polymerization. [3][4][5][6][7] The onset and the intensity of autoacceleration are determined by the type of monomer, initiator concentration, temperature and other reaction conditions. Ebdon and Hunt 3 used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to follow the course of free radical bulk polymerization of styrene and concluded that autoacceleration is less pronounced at 90 1C than at 80 1C and is absent at 100 1C and above. Autoacceleration appeared at about 2% conversion of styrene polymerized at 20 1C for 252 days in the presence of 2,2¢-azobisisobutyronitrile. 8 To explain this autoacceleration, an equation was applied to the kinetic data obtained under the condition of predominant transfer to the monomer. It was concluded that polymer molecules may move by repetition and the mobility of segments decreases with decrease of free volume. 8 Comparisons of the results obtained for styrene-free radical bulk polymerization with model predictions have quantified the dependence of the gel effect strength on the predominance of chain transfer events. 9 Cioffi et al. 10 performed a rheokinetic study of the bulk-free radical polymerization of styrene with a helical barrel rheometer. The rheokinetic measurements show that autoacceleration in the free radical polymerization of styrene can be reduced when the polymer-