Compatibility of plasticizers with poly(vinyl chloride)

✍ Scribed by M. Wales

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1971
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 930 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/app.1971.070150204

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The tendency of a plasticizer to resist exudation from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) under compressive stress, known technologically as “compatibility,” is treated in terms of a network model, the plasticized composition being thought of as a rubber crosslinked by crystallites. Compatibility is increased by increased solvency (Flory‐Huggins χ) and decreased by increasing plasticizer molar volume. A large crosslink density and/or insufficient melting of crosslinks during processing (thermal history) also decreases compatibility. All commercial primary plasticizers are believed to be infinitely miscible with amorphous PVC. Phase separation which occurs is syneresis and not related to any phase diagram. Swelling tests for compatibility and swelling measurements on dilute PVC gels are described. Some general principles relating to gel formation and association in polymer solutions are also discussed.