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The effect of solvent traces on the ultraviolet degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)
Author(s) -
Kamal M. R.,
ElKaissy M. M.,
Avedesian M. M.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1972.070160108
Subject(s) - tetrahydrofuran , vinyl chloride , degradation (telecommunications) , solvent , ultraviolet , dichloroethane , materials science , chloride , ultraviolet light , polymer chemistry , photochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , copolymer , polymer , telecommunications , optoelectronics , computer science
The ultraviolet degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) films was studied in a photoreactor which supplied energy near 3000 Å. It was noted that the rate of degradation and color development was increased when the level of residual solvent in the cast films was increased. Two solvents were employed in the study: tetrahydrofuran and dichloroethane. The amount of residual solvent was correlated with the height of a characteristic peak at 2800 Å for tetrahydrofuran and 1900 Å for dichloroethane. Films which had very small traces of solvent showed excellent resistance to ultraviolet degradation, even in the absence of ultraviolet stabilizers. The analysis of solubility data showed that chain scission was controlling in the early stages of exposure, while crosslinking was controlling at later stages. As a result, it was not possible to apply Charlesby's treatment of radiation‐induced degradation. Comparison with the results obtained by other workers for degradation at 2537 Å showed that degradation at this wavelength was much faster than degradation at 3000 Å. Furthermore, degradation at 2537 Å appeared to be controlled by crosslinking at all stages of exposure.