EFFECT OF BRANCHING ON THE DEGRADATION BEHAVIOR AND CALORIC PROPERTIES OF PVC

Nine different PVC samples with defined chlorine content and degree of branching have been investigated. The aim of the work was the influen ce of these parameters on some caloric properties as well as the degra dation behaviour and the degradation products. As expected, the heat o f combustion decreases with increasing chlorine content. As determined by simultaneous thermal analysis/mass spectrometry, the volatile degr adation products of the pyrolysis in nitrogen atmosphere vary. The hig her the chlorine content, the higher the amount of chlorinated degrada tion products and the lower the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocar bons (PAH). A higher number of branching promotes the formation of alc ylated aromatic hydrocarbons. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.