Analysis for vinyl chloride in PVC powders by head‐space gas chromatography

Abstract

Abstract At a temperature above the glass transition point of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), the solubility of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in PVC accurately follows Henry's law behavior for VCM contents up to 4000 ppm. This observation has lead to a rapid, simple gas‐chromatographic method for the determination of VCM in PVC from the analysis of the vapor phase (head‐space) over PVC powder samples in a sealed container. The basic experimental techniques, calculations, and examples of experimental data are given. The method can be used with any commercial gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector without instrument modification.