Thermal stability of modified poly(vinyl chloride) by TGA

The stability of poly(vinyl chloride), as measured by thermogravimetric analysis, is significantly different from that of other thermoplastics. It is shown that the onset of weight loss can be correlated with the development of color in a processed resin. It is further shown that the ingredients within a rigid polyvinyl chloride compound drastically alter its thermal behavior. The effect of lubricant and stabilizer on the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) is stressed.