| Abstract: | Differential scanning calorimetric analyses were conducted on samples of poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymerized in an autoclave by tributylborane-oxygen by free-radical initiation at low temperature (-70-0°C). The peak melting points and the percent head-to-head defect in each polymer sample were determined by a reported calorimetric method. A commercial sample showed a melting temperature in the range 157–162°C and a percent head-to-head defect of 7.7%; whereas two experimental samples showed melting temperatures in the range 172–179°C with a percent head-to-head defect of 4.4 and 4.9%. The calorimetric procedure was modified by reducing annealing times to only 2 h, which saves time and, as shown in this study, avoids thermal polymer degradation. |
