A NOVEL PROCESS FOR THE CHLORINATION OF POLYMERS IN SOLUTION

A new uniform process for the solution chlorination of PVC, PE, and na tural rubber has been developed with initiation by gamma-irradiation o r radical initiators (azo-compounds). The solvent used is dichlorometh ane instead of the industrially used tetrachloroethane or tetrachlorom ethane. The reaction is carried out in an autoclave with stirrer at te mperatures between 70 and 100 degrees C and pressures from 4 to 7 bar. As a result of the simultaneous chlorination of the solvent, trichlor omethane is formed and only less than 1 wt.-% tetrachloromethane. Char acterization of the chlorinated polymers by DSC and NMR measurements s howed no differences to conventionally chlorinated products.