Thermal stability of vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate copolymers in thepresence of metal decanoates

The thermal degradation of a vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate (5 mol%) c opolymer in the presence of various metal decanoates (5 wt%) has been exami ned by thermogravimetry. The stability of the polymer is little affected by the presence of metal decanoates containing nonacidic cations. In contrast , the presence of metal decanoates containing acidic cations [iron(II), cob alt(II), copper(II) and, in particular, zinc] has a distinct and generally negative impact on the stability of the polymer. Copper (II) decanoate, con taining a moderately acidic cation, displays the greatest potential for dev elopment as a stabilizer for vinylidene chloride copolymers. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.