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MECHANISM OF DISCOLORATION OF IRRADIATED POLYVINYL CHLORIDE

Journal Article · · J. Appl. Polymer Sci.

The radiation chemical process in polyvinyl chloride was studied by means of electron spin resonance, optical spectroscopy, and measurement of gas evolution. The chief technique was to irradiate sampies at - 196 deg C and then follow the change or changes with rising temperature. primary radicals, such as -- CH/sub 2/--CH--CH/sub 2/-- and -- CHCl -- CH-- CHCl--, were produced. Among them some m crosslinks during irradiation even at -- 196 deg C. A mechanism for the discoloration of PVC, based upon results obtained by the three different methods, was postulated. Discoloration is caused by the formation of polyenyl radicals or polyene molecuies of considerable conjugation lengths, some as long as 9 conjugated double bonds. Polyenyl radicals are produced as a result of a thermally induced secondary reaction of the -- CHCl-- CH-- CHCl-- radical, above - - 70 deg C, thereby accompanied by hydrogen chloride detachment following the so- called zipper mechanism. An equation relating the pressure of evolved RCl to the reaction temperature was derived by a simple kinetic treatment of the zipper reaction. Some effect of heat treatment and increasing dose on discoloration is discussed. (P.C.H.)

Research Organization:
Japanese Assn. for Radiation Research on Polymers, Osaka, Japan
NSA Number:
NSA-17-011281
OSTI ID:
4710802
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Polymer Sci., Journal Name: J. Appl. Polymer Sci. Vol. Vol: 6
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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