Polyhydroxyethers. II. Effect of structure on properties of high molecular weight copolymers from dihydric phenol mixtures and epichlorohydrin

Abstract

Abstract The glass transition temperature and gas barrier properties of a number of high molecular weight thermoplastic hydroxyether copolymers have been determined. These copolymers were derived from mixtures of two dihydric phenols and epichlorohydrin. The property data are analyzed in terms of copolymer composition and the random or alternating distribution of monomer units in the polymer chains. In general, the glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were found to be intermediate between the values for the two homopolymers. In one system, good agreement between the experimental data and a simplified equation for the prediction of glass transition temperatures of amorphous, random copolymers was obtained. No differences in the glass transition behavior of random and alternating hydroxyether copolymers could be detected. Gas barrier properties, in general, were found to be intermediate in value between those of corresponding homopolymers. The exceptions are discussed in terms of polymer structure variations.