In the present invention, a process is provided for producing high impact
polystyrene of improved heat resistance. According to the invention, after
phase inversion of the rubber-polystyrene system, a slurry of PPE in
styrene is added in situ to the process. The PPE slurry in styrene
contains greater than 15 wt. % of PPE and is introduced to the process at
point past rubber phase inversion, preferably at point where total polymer
solids is greater than 40 wt. % of the total weight of the polymerization
mixture. Preferably, four continuous stirred tank reactors in series are
used in the process and preferably the slurry of PPE in styrene monomer is
introduced to the third CSTR.