Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) blends

Abstract

Abstract Poly(vinyl chloride) was mixed with various poly(methacrylate)s and polycarbonates by combined precipitation from common solutions. The thermal stability of the samples was measured at 180°C under nitrogen, the HCl evolved was detected by conductometry. UV‐Vis‐spectra of degraded samples were measured to investigate the influence of the poly(methacrylate)s on the lengths of polyenes formed during the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride). The experiments show that the nature of the ester group is the dominating factor for the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) in these blends. Poly(n‐butylmethacrylate) exhibits the best stabilization for poly(vinyl chloride) in this series. Polycarbonates with a higher glass transition temperature than the temperature of degradation destabilize poly(vinyl chloride). Stabilization experiments with dibutyltin‐bis(isooctylthioglycolate) show a costabilizing effect of the poly(methacrylate)s and polycarbonates.