Mechanism of stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). I. The cleavage of organotin compounds by aqueous hydrochloric acid

A number of organotin compounds with the general formula R_nSnY_4-n where R = alkyl and aryl, Y = thiolate, carbothiolate, and carboxylate, and n = 0, 1, 2, 3 were cleaved with aqueous hydrochloric acid to give the corresponding organotin chlorides and thiols, carbothiolic acids or carboxylic acids. The organotion salts were also evaluated as thermal stabilizers for PVC, and their efficiency was compared with the nature of the aqueous acid cleavage products.¹     

Mechanism of organotin stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). 6. Compatibility of organotin stabilizers with PVC

Compatibility of PVC with liquid alkyltin alkylthioglycolate stabilizers was studied by thermal methods, including isothermal calorimetry of mixing, DSC, DMA, and dielectric relaxation. The enthalpy of mixing of PVC with the series of alkyltin alkyl thioglycolates was measured over the entire concentration range at ambient conditions. It was found that all tested compounds are compatible with PVC in a broad concentration range and form homogeneous mixtures. The results are discussed in terms of the superposition of glassy state and molecular interaction contributions to the enthalpy of mixing of the glassy polymer with liquid additives. The influence of organotin stabilizers on the glassy structure of PVC films was studied by means of DSC and the dielectric relaxation spectrum. The enhancement of the glassy structure of PVC by alkyltin alkyl thioglycolates is interpreted as the result of strong multi‐site molecular complexes between organotin molecules and PVC chains, which act as additional clips in the entanglement network of polymer chains.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). V. Synergism between metal soaps and polyols upon stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride)

The marked discolorations observed on aged poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) containing synergetic metal soaps, in the early heating stage, were due to the excessive coloration of π complex of metal chloride and double bonds in the polyene chain. These excessive colorations were inhibited by masking the excessive metal chloride with some masking agents, thereby slowing down the abrupt discoloration of PVC. In this paper, the masking effect of various alcohols such as 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, hexylene glycol, glycerol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, meso-erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, and dipentaerythritol is investigated. The polyhydric alcohols, except dihydric alcohols, showed superior masking effect and markedly improved the thermal stabilization effects of synergetic metal soaps. The mechanism for the synergetic effects between polyols and metal soaps should be based on the masking effect of polyols, owing to the formation of the colorless complex of polyols with excess metal chlorides obtained from the metal soap.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). II. Stabilization mechanism through metal soaps by complementary color action

In a previous paper, it was pointed out that the stabilization mechanism through metal soaps might be affected by an effect of complementary color. In this work, the colors of heated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films mixed with various metal soaps were investigated by using a differential colorimeter and a spectrophotometer. Monochromatic coloration was observed with PVC, PVC–Ca stearate, and PVC–Ba stearate systems. On the other hand, the phenomenon of color mixing was observed with PVC–Zn stearate, PVC–Cd stearate, PVC–Zn/Ca stearate, and PVC–Cd/Ba stearate systems. In particular, achromatic color remained with PVC–Zn/Ca stearate and Cd/Ba stearate systems for longer heating periods. This means that the stabilization mechanism for PVC compounded with metal soaps should be effected finally by subtractive complementary colors situated between polyene color and the color effected with the metal complex, in addition to being subject to the usual chemical stabilization mechanisms.     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride). XIX. Electroplating of poly(vinyl chloride)

As a preliminary treatment in the PVC-electroplating procedure, treatment with dimethylformamide followed by sensitization leads to a finely roughened and a highly hydrophilic surface with reducing power. This is caused by the formation of an ionic complex compound between dimethylformamide and tin(II) chloride absorbed in the PVC surface. A much more finely and deeply etched surface which exhibits higher adhesion through the mechanical interlocking effect is obtained with the PVC blends containing the plasticizer with a low value of interaction parameter and with a solubility parameter approximate to that of PVC. Adhesion of the metal layer to the PVC surface thus obtained is improved about 1.5 times by thermal aging at 120°C for 20 min.     

The degradation of poly(vinyl chloride). II. Oxidative degradation in solution

The results of studies on the oxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) in a solvent, triphenyl phosphate, are described and compared with results previously reported for the oxidative degradation of bulk polymer samples. A range of chain-breaking and peroxide-decomposing antioxidants of the type commonly used to stabilize polyolefins were not effective in reducing the rate of dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride).     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride). XXXIV. Crosslinked poly(vinyl chloride) via paste-processing

A novel PVC-crosslinking technique using 6-dibutylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol (DB) was applied for a paste processing to produce a crosslinked PVC product. The paste formulation recommended in the present study consisted of 100 parts of PVC (Zeon 121), 60 parts of dioctyl phthalate, 0.2 parts of MgO, and 6 parts of a 50% solution of DB-Na in butylcarbitol, which gave a highly crosslinked and transparent sheet with an excellent stability for thermal discolouring. The increasing viscosity behaviour of the paste during storage is explained by the effect of interparticle attracting forces of DB-Na which coordinates to the ether oxygen atoms in the glycol derivatives adsorbed on the surface of PVC particles. The increased viscosity can be reduced by addition of 3 parts of N-butyl-benzene-sulfonamide. The tension-distortion properties at elevated temperatures were remarkably improved at the crosslinked product compared with the uncrosslinked. The mechanical properties of the two crosslinked products produced via paste processing and roll-blending are compared in regard to the differences of the uniformity of crosslinking units.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). X. Synergisms between epoxidized polybutadienes and metal soaps on the stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride)

Effects of epoxidized 1,2- or 1,4-polybutadienes on the zinc stearate/calcium stearate synergetic soap-induced thermal stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were investigated by colorimetry. The remarkable stabilization effects of epoxidized polybutadienes could not be observed on the PVC films without synergetic soaps, while the stabilization of PVC was markedly enhanced by combined use of epoxidized polybutadienes with synergetic soaps. Excessive coloration of cool color-producing zinc chloride-polyene complexes that were the source of abrupt discoloration of stabilized PVC was retarded by using epoxidized polybutadienes together with synergetic soap. The synergism of epoxidized polybutadienes was enhanced with increasing epoxy contents. Moreover, the effect is also clearly dependent on degree of dispersion of epoxidized polybutadienes in PVC. Further colorimetries, infrared (IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies on the various PVC-containing epoxidized polybutadienes and zinc chloride indicated that the epoxy groups capture the zinc chloride. The synergistic effect between epoxidized polybutadienes and metal soap was ascribed to epoxidized polybutadienes serving as acceptors for the excessive cool color-producing zinc chloride produced by zinc stearate to retard the abrupt discoloration of stabilized PVC. The plate-out phenomenon appeared during the molding process of PVC-containing epoxy compounds was considerably retarded by epoxidized polybutadienes which modified polyols. The polyol-modifying epoxidized polybutadienes also exhibited a marked effect on PVC stabilization with metal soap.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). III. Synergism between metal soaps and masking agents on the stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride)

The stabilization mechanism by synergetic metal soaps containing complementary colors was previously reported. With increased heating times, the color of heated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films containing Cd/Ba and Zn/Ca synergetic soaps markedly deviated from the polyene color. These color deviations usually decreased the thermal stability of PVC. Discoloration from polyene color to blue appeared especially on PVC films containing Zn/Ca synergetic soap and was concomitant with a marked decrease in thermal stability. The stabilization of PVC containing synergetic metal soaps can be improved by masking or removing the excessive color. In this work, the addition of various masking agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, o-phenanthroline, triethanolamine, urea, N,N′ -dimethylolurea, melamine, stearylamide, and lactams, to PVC containing synergetic metal soaps was investigated. It was shown that these masking agents do markedly slow down the discoloration of PVC.     

Radiation yield of hydrogen chloride in gamma-irradiated poly(vinyl chloride) stabilized by epoxy compounds

The G_HCI values of γ-irradiated PVC mixtures were studied after addition of various amounts of three epoxy stabilizers: diglycidyl ether of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propane (I); diglycidyl ether of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane (II), and butyl-cis-9,10-epoxystearate (III). The results indicated that two processes are essential for the stabilization: HCI capture by the epoxy groups, and an external protective effect, due to the remaining part of the stabilizer molecule. The role of the benzene rings in stabilizers I and II, as compared with the protective effect due to the long chains of stabilizer III, is not as dominant as one would expect.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) by elemental sulfur

The process of stabilization of a poly(vinylchloride) elemental sulfur in thermal and thermooxidative destruction conditions is investigated. The high stabilizing efficiency of elemental sulfur is revealed at the destruction of plasticized poly(vinylchloride) compared with the efficiency of phenolic antioxidants. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Mechanism of organotin stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). 2: Significance for PVC stabilization of structure and equilibria of alkyltin thioglycolates/chlorides

The stabilization effect of alkyltin thioglycolates was determined by the measurement of discoloration of PVC formulations. The results were interpreted considering the structure of these compounds, their equilibration with alkyltin chlorides, and their postulated association with chlorine atoms at PVC primary particle surfaces.     

Ways of poly (vinyl chloride) stabilization

Main results of research on poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) stabilization are discussed. Stabilization is viewed from the standpoint of the modern notions of the reasons for PVC low thermal stability, the complicated nature of its dehydrochlorination, and the kinetics of its degradation. The internal unsaturated oxygen-containing groups of ～C(O)? CH?CH? CHCl～ type are regarded as the main source of the polymer instability. Typical processes resulting in PVC stabilization, such as the substitution of labile chlorine atoms and the destruction of initial active sites during reactions with various chemical agents, as well as the kinetic aspects of stabilizers' effect on HCl elimination and PVC macromolecules crosslinkage are considered. The influence of additives on the polymer coloration is estimated.     

Mechanism of organotin stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). 1: The structure and equilibria of alkyltin thioqlycolates and their compatibility with PVC

A series of alkyltin thioglycolates was synthesized and their structure and equilibria with alkyltin chlorides studied by infrared analysis. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to determine their compatibility with PVC. The implications of these results on PVC stabilization were discussed     

Preparation and application of low molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride). II. Thermal stability of blended poly(vinyl chloride)

The blending effect of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with relatively higher molecular weight (HMW-PVC) and relatively lower molecular weight (LMW-PVC) has been investigated by measuring various thermal stability and fusion times. The thermal stability of the blended PVC is improved when the small amount of LMW-PVC obtained using mercapto compounds as a chain-transfer agent is blended into PVC with HMW-PVC. At the LMW-PVC content from about 5–30 wt %, the thermal stability of the blended PVC is much more improved. Furthermore, the blended PVC with LMW-PVC, obtained using mercapto compounds, exhibits significant improvement in the discoloration time. The fusion time of the blended PVC is related to the weight-average polymerization degree of LMW-PVC and the LMW-PVC content. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride). II. The effect of atmosphere

The early stages of the thermal degradation of PVC were studied. Two commercial, suspension-polymerized resins were thermally treated at different temperatures and oxygen contents. Dehydrochlorination kinetics were followed by conductometric measurements and the formation of polyene sequences by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Crosslinking and chain scission were followed by gel chromatography (GPC) and viscometry. No chain scission was observed in nitrogen atmosphere and no crosslinking in oxygen. Degradation in air proceeded by both reactions. The rate of dehydrochlorination for one of the investigated polymers increased linearly with the logarithm of the oxygen pressure. In nitrogen, an increasing degradation temperature was found to give both an increasing crosslinking and less discoloration. In oxygen, chain scission reactions showed a slight temperature dependence. The temperature effect on the discolorations was similar to that in nitrogen. The main difference between the investigated resins was the amount of internal doubled bonds in the original polymers, the ratio being 2:1. The higher amount resulted in a higher rate of dehydrochlorination, a larger extent of chain scission in oxygen, and a lower extent of crosslinking in nitrogen. Both in oxygen and nitrogen, the obtained results are consistent with allylic mechanisms. In nitrogen, the polyene formation supposedly proceeds by a unimolecular reaction and crosslinking by an intermolecular nonradical dehydrochlorination. In oxygen, radical reactions are superposed and may lead to chain rupture via β-scissions of alkoxy radicals.     

Crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) with metal oxides,sulfur, and organo sulfur compounds

The crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) in the presence of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, ethylenethiourea (ETU), tetramethylthiuramdisulfide (TMTD), and sulfur at 160 and 180°C has been studied. The effects of ETU and sulfur on the crosslinking of PVC in the presence of TMTD have been individually studied. It has been found that zinc dimethyldivhiocarbamate (ZnDMDC) is the actual crosslinking agent and heat stabilizer of PVC, formed in the cured polymer mix.