Photostability,thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/novel acrylate terpolymer blend

Methyl methacrylate/2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/maleic anhydride terpolymer with various compositions was synthesized, characterized and investigated as a photostabilizer for rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The chemical structure of the terpolymer MMA/HEMA/MA, was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible and FTIR, spectroscopy. The molecular weights of the terpolymer were determined by applying gel permeation chromatography. The stabilizing efficiency of the terpolymer was evaluated by the determination of the weight loss of PVC/terpolymer blends after various irradiation times. The content of the formed gel as well as the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fraction of the photodegraded polymer were also determined. The efficiency was also evaluated by measuring the extent of the discoloration of the photodegraded polymer. Thermal gravimetric analysis of the terpolymer and PVC/terpolymer blend were measured. Moreover, physicomechanical properties of photodegraded stabilized PVC samples were as well measured. The results revealed that the photostabilizing efficiency as well as thermal stability increased in the presence of the terpolymer as blended with PVC and by the increase of maleic anhydride ratio in the terpolymer. The photostabilizing efficiencies were compared with the industrially known UV absorber 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(octyloxy) phenylbenzophenone. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E55–E62, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers