| Abstract: | Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurements can be used to infer the degree of fusion of rigid PVC articles. The preferred method involves annealing of the specimen at 260°C for 5 minutes, to erase all crystalline structures, followed by a 2 day storage at room temperature. New crystalline entities that are formed give use to an endotherm in the DSC heating mode. The magnitude of this endotherm divided by the total endotherm observed to 220°C can be used to estimate the degree of fusion of the specimen. Data from various processes and different cross-sections of extruded pipe are consistent with solvent resistance estimations. |
