EFFECT OF RARE-EARTH (HO, TB AND DY) LAURATES ON THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLY (VINYL-CHLORIDE)

Non-oxidative thermal degradation of PVC and the effect of (Ho, Tb and Dy) laurates on it was studied using thermogravimetric technique in t he temperature range of 150 to 1000 degrees C. It is observed that the se metal laurates effectively reduce the dehydrochlorination of PVC. T he synergistic effect of combination of these salts was also studied a nd discussed. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy, order of r eaction and Arrhenius factor have been also calculated by the Coats an d Horowitz methods. Results show that above mentioned metal laurates i ncrease the activation energy required for the dehydrochlorination of PVC.