Radiation-induced crosslinking and degradation of vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers

✍ Scribed by Harmer, David E. ;Raab, Joseph A.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1961
• Weight: 295 KB
• Volume: 55
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-3832
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.1961.1205516234

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

While it is accepted that the high‐energy irradiation of poly (vinyl chloride) produces a predominately crosslinked material, confusion exists about the vinyl chloride–vinylidene chloride copolymer system. Degradation is generally assumed. We have shown that crosslinking (or endlinking) predominates over chain scission in several poly (vinyl chloride–vinylidene chloride) systems. The relative amounts of the two reactions are a function of vinylidene chloride content in the copolymer. While crosslinking is increased at increased temperatures during irradiation, and decresed in the presence of oxygen, a much larger effect is exerted by the physical form (or heat history) of the solid copolymer itself.