Abstract
The thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) containing 0·05 to 4% aluminium chloride (AlCl 3) has been studied. Degradation experiments were performed at 190°C in nitrogen and atmospheres containing HCl. The polyene sequence distribution was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy, and the extent of molecular enlarging was determined by size exclusion chromatography. In an inert atmosphere, the samples with AlCl 3 exhibited lower dehydrochlorination rates than ordinary PVC. In addition, the polyene sequences were considerably shorter. Degradation in the presence of HCl resulted in even shorter polyenes. The experimental results show that this is not dependent on an increased frequency of crosslinking. The degradation behaviour can be explained by the addition of HCl to polyenes formed during degradation. It is suggested that AlCl 3 catalyses this reaction.
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