| Abstract: | “Pure” poly(vinyl chloride) resin and four compositions containing poly(vinyl chloride) were subjected to oxidative thermal degradation in air at &400°C both in a quiescent and a flow system. The volatiles formed were identified and quantitatively determined on a gram-per-gram basis. Hydrogen chloride was the main product found. The nature and relative concentration of the produced organic chlorinated species appeared to be dependent not only on the poly(vinyl chloride) constituent but also on the other ingredients. All the compositions contained phthalate ester plasticizers. In the dynamic system, these distilled largely unchanged, whereas under static conditions transformation into phthalic anhydride occurred. |
