Suspension stabilizers for PVC production I: Interfacial tension measurements

The effect of commonly used suspension stabilizers on the interfacial tension of the vinyl chloride (VCM)/water interface was studied at 50°C, using the drop volume method. The measurements covered drop times from a few seconds to about 1000 s. The interfacial tension between VCM and pure water was found to be 32 mN/m. In the presence of additives, the interfacial tension varied with drop time. An equilibrium situation was probably not reached in any of these experiments. The surface activity of the poly(vinyl alcohol) increased with increasing acetate content. The interfacial tension decreased much more slowly with time in the presence of the poly(vinyl alcohol)s than with the cellulose ether tested. However, this polymer, Methocel F50, on adsorption at the interface formed a solid, mechanically strong surface film. The formation of such films was delayed by addition of ammonium laurate and/or Span 20.