PVC PLASTISOLS DECOMPOSITION BY FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY

A specially designed cell, as described in previous papers, has been u sed to study the dynamic in situ decomposition of PVC plastisols by FT -IR. The FT-IR spectra provides a new point of view into the intricate problem of the effect of the plasticizers (compatibility and concentr ation) in the PVC decomposition. A qualitative description of the chan ges observed in the plastisols spectra is presented. Firstly, the band s due to the plasticizer disappear at temperatures in good accordance with those observed for the plasticizer evaporation in the thermogravi metric decomposition of the PVC plastisol. The plasticizer evaporation leads to a spectrum very similar to that obtained when the PVC is alo ne at the same temperature. After plasticizer evaporation changes obse rved in plastisols decomposition are similar to those previously repor ted with respect to resins decomposition. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Lt d.