Thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) with epoxidised soybean oil as primary plasticizer

Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) has been tested as a primary plasticizer in suspension PVC. The stabilization of the material with different traditional stabilizers has been evaluated and compared to a compound with PVC-ESBO only. Surprisingly, the addition of stabilizers seems to decrease the stability of PVC-ESBO. Traditional stabilizers, for instance Ca/Zn-stearate have been evaluated as well as metal carboxylates regarding yellowness index and UV-Vis absorption. Among the metal carboxylates, a decrease in initial discolouration, i.e. yellowness was observed with addition of Zn-stearate whereas the addition of Al-stearate improved the colour after ageing compared to PVC-ESBO without stabilizer.The stabilizing mechanism of ESBO itself, without the addition of stabilizers, has also been investigated. Analyses with ion chromatography of ESBO extracted from PVC samples without stabilizer revealed that the chlorine content of ESBO had increased when ageing the sample. MALDI analysis revealed that hydrochloric acid likely had attached to the ESBO. Reactions between ESBO and PVC were found through NMR analysis.     

Network formation by epoxidised soybean oil in plastisol poly(vinyl chloride)

Epoxidised soybean oil, ESBO, is a well known additive used in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) since it functions both as plasticizer and as stabilizer. This paper describes what happens to the material when ESBO is used as primary plasticizer in plastisol- and in suspension PVC without any additional stabilizer. When 50 ph ESBO was added to 100 ph plastisol PVC and then aged in a Werner Mathis oven at 180 °C for various lengths of time, the E-modulus increased with ageing time due the formation of a crosslinked network induced by a polymerization reaction of the epoxy groups in the ESBO. The network and the PVC were analyzed by NMR which showed that reaction between PVC and ESBO had occurred, and that the network consisted primarily of ESBO. The same experiment performed with suspension PVC instead of plastisol PVC did not result in any crosslinking of the ESBO. The ring opening of the epoxy which starts the polymerization of ESBO is most likely catalyzed by an additive used in the polymerization of plastisol PVC.     

FTIR investigation of the specific migration of additives from rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Commercial sunflower oil was epoxidized and used as organic costabiliser for rigid poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) containing zinc and calcium stearates as primary stabilisers and stearic acid as lubricant. For applications in the packaging of foodstuffs, migration testing must be realised. For that purpose, two food simulants were used (sunflower oil and 15% (v/v) aqueous ethanol). The test conditions were 12 days at 40 °C. Circular samples of rigid PVC were immersed in a well known volume of food simulant. A circular sample and 10 ml of food simulant were taken off every day to be analysed. The specific migrations of the additives were investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The direct analysis of the food simulants was difficult because overlapping of the bands of the additives. However, the analysis of PVC films obtained by dissolution of the circular samples in tetrahydrofuran and evaporation of the solvent was more conclusive. The specific migrations of the metal carboxylates and epoxidized sunflower oil were evidenced.     

A rapid HPIC method for the quantitative determination of tetramethylammonium chloride in some aqueous solutions used as food simulants

Summary The present paper reports a rapid HPIC method for the determination of tetramethylammonium chloride in aqueous matrices which are used as food simulants in migration tests. These simulants were: bidistilled water, an aqueous solution of 3% acetic acid, an aqueous solution of 15% ethyl alcohol, a mixed aqueous solution of 3% acetic acid and 15% ethyl alcohol. The method, as developed, has been applied to the determination of unreacted tetramethylammonium chloride residues which are able to migrate from finished epoxy resins which are used as food packaging materials.Research partially supported by National Research Council of Italy, Special Project RAISA, sub-project 4, Paper N^o 695.     

Effect of zinc soaps of rubber seed oil (RSO) and/or epoxidised rubber seed oil (ERSO) on the thermal stability of PVC plastigels

Zinc soaps of rubber seed oil (RSO) and epoxidised rubber seed oil (ERSO) were prepared and their use as PVC stabilizers investigated. Characterization of Zn soaps of RSO prepared by different techniques and ERSO gave information on the purity, structure and thermal behaviour of these materials. From the analysis, the production of these materials for use in thermal stabilization of PVC would be optimized as their use greatly enhanced the stability of PVC as obtained from the conductivity measurements using the 763 PVC Thermomat. The minimum amount of HCl release was obtained for the samples with Zn soaps and ERSO indicating a synergistic effect. Zn soaps having Zn(OH)₂ stabilized PVC better than pure Zn soaps.     

Characterization and thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized with epoxidized soybean oil for food packaging

The use of phthalates in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) formulations has been questioned by their potential toxicity and high migration to foodstuff. Phthalates can be replaced by other harmless and environmentally friendly plasticizers, such as epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), which has been also proved an efficient stabilizer for PVC helping to prevent degradation during processing. Formulations based on PVC with different amounts of ESBO (from 30 to 50 wt%) were fully characterized showing good compatibility and a clear increase in thermal stability. An evaluation of the use of ESBO for PVC stabilization in commercial lids was carried out by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). ESBO was detected in all materials and their thermal stability was highly dependent on the plasticizer concentration. Most of them showed a significant increase in thermal degradation temperatures, permitting their use in food processing at high temperatures without risk of degradation.     

Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

This paper presents an initial attempt at describing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermal degradation through a semi-detailed and lumped kinetic model. A mechanism of 40 species and pseudocomponents (molecules and radicals) involved in about 250 reactions permits quite a good reproduction of the main characteristics of PVC degradation and volatilization. The presence of the two step mechanism—the first step of which corresponds to dehydrochlorination and the second to the tar release and residue char formation—are correctly predicted both in quantitative terms and in the temperature ranges. The model was validated by comparison with several thermo gravimetric analyses, both dynamic at different heating rates, and isothermal. When compared with the typical one step global apparent degradation models, the approach proposed here spans quite large operative ranges, especially when it comes to predicting product distributions. The initial results of these product predictions, even though quite preliminary, are encouraging and confirm the validity of the model.     

Mechanochemical reactions on poly (vinyl chloride)

This paper is concerned with molecular phenomena appearing during deformation of poly(vinyl chloride) under tensile stress conditions. By using indirect techniques (reactions with radical acceptors, with vinylic monomers, electron microscopy) the formation of free radicals, appearing as a consequence of splitting of chemical bonds, is evidenced. The amount of reacted radical acceptor or monomer was proved to be related to solution concentration and to the duration of mechanical stress.     

Photodegradation of polycaprolactone/poly(vinyl chloride) blend

The photodegradation of a 1:1 w/w blend of polycaprolactone and poly(vinyl chloride) has been studied by following carbon dioxide emission during UV exposure. Similar measurements were performed for polycaprolactone and poly(vinyl chloride) homopolymers which were prepared and irradiated in the same way. It was found that the blend gave lower CO₂ emission than either of the two homopolymers, indicating that the interaction of the two components in the blend provided a beneficial reduction of photodegradation. It is therefore deduced that the detailed morphological characteristics of the blend have a controlling influence over the photo-oxidation.     

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane and poly(vinyl chloride)

Summary A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) of polyurethane (PU) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been obtained by prepolymer method and characterised by FTIR; morphological features were examined by SEM-EDS. It has been found that PVC spherical aggregates are dispersed in the PU matrix, but Cl atoms location indicates partial miscibility of both polymers at the interphase which is probably due to hydrogen bonding and/or dipole-dipole interactions. The PVC component influences the phase behaviour of PUs hard segments, as evidenced by DSC results. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) reveals a complex, multi-step decomposition process with the main mass loss at 503-693 K, while the DTG maxima are located between 540 and 602 K.     

Degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) and nitrocellulose in XPS

Measurements have been made of the degradation rates for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and nitrocellulose with cellulose acetate (NC) in x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These materials form part of earlier studies published by others to evaluate instrumental degradation factors. In the earlier studies, results showed significant scatter such that the relative rates varied significantly from instrument to instrument. It is shown here that this variation could arise from different levels of adventitious electrons in the different instruments as well as different layer thicknesses exhibiting the degradation in PVC and NC. The former depends on electrodes in the system and the neutralizing parameters, whereas the latter causes the relative degradation rates to depend on the angle of emission of the detected electrons. These will have varied from laboratory to laboratory in the earlier study. The present study leads to simple recommendations for operating conditions to reduce the degradation effects observed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antimicrobial agents as photostabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Some amide derivatives of ethylene glycol‐bis(2‐aminoethylether)‐N,N,N^′,N^′‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA) have been prepared via their coupling with different aniline derivatives: amino, methyl, chloro, and hydroxy aniline. The EGTA amide derivatives were characterized, and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. These antimicrobial agents have been investigated as photostabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), suspension PVC, with a K value of 70. Their stabilizing efficiencies were evaluated by determining the percentage of weight loss, the intrinsic viscosities, as well as the amount of formed gel of the photodegraded PVC. The extent of discoloration and the change in the mechanical properties of the photodegraded polymer were also evaluated. The applied materials reduced the loss in weight that resulted from HCl evolution during photodegradation. Both viscosity and gel content measurements showed also a decrease in their values during the degradation process. The decrease in the percentage of gel formation upon applying the investigated photostabilizers reflects the lowering in extent of cross‐linking of the polymer, which implies preserving the mechanical properties of PVC. The extent of discoloration was also improved in the presence of the investigated compounds. The results have proved a greater stabilizing efficiencies of the antimicrobial EGTA amide derivatives than that of the phenyl salicylate ultraviolet (UV) absorber, which is commonly used as an industrial stabilizer. A radical mechanism was proposed to account for the stabilizing action of the investigated products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Miscibility of poly(vinyl chloride) with poly(methyl-co-hexyl acrylate) and poly(methyl-co-2 ethyl hexyl acrylate)

The miscibility and phase behavior in blends of PVC with poly(methyl-co-hexyl acrylate)[MHA] and poly(methyl-co-2 ethyl hexyl acrylate)[MEH] were studied. It was found that PVC is miscible with MHA copolymers having a HA volume fraction from 0.30 to 0.92 and MEH copolymers having an EH volume fraction from 0.30 to 0.83 at 100°C. By applying the mean field theory to the phase diagrams of these blend systems, segmental interaction parameters which represent the binary interaction between different monomer units were estimated. The calculated values reflect the fact that the miscibility window observed for PVC/MHA and PVC/MEH blend systems was attributed to the effect of repulsion between different monomer units within the copolymer. To investigate the effect of specific interaction on the miscibility for these blend systems, an attempt was also made to describe the blend interaction parameter as a function of polar group concentration in the acrylate copolymer. The blend interaction parameter values exhibit a u-shaped curve as a function of the weight fraction of C?O group in the copolymer, and the lowest blend interaction parameter value appears at about 0.24 C?O weight fraction.     

Diffusion of small molecules through modified poly(vinyl chloride) membranes

The transport properties of a set of four copolymers based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) have been studied. The nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms with 4‐mercaptophenol sodium salt, 2‐thionaphthalene, 4‐(1‐adamantyl) thiophenol, and thiophenolate sodium salt as the nucleophiles has been performed, from low conversion levels (3%) to high levels (40%), and the permeability, solubility, and diffusivity of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane have been measured. The introduction of bulky groups to the PVC chain leads to chain separation and results in large increases in the free volume at conversions up to 10%. This brings about a 5‐fold increase in the diffusion coefficients that is almost independent of the bulkiness of the substituent. Solubility is little affected and instead tends to decrease as substitution progresses. The substitution of more than 10% of the chlorine atoms does not result in an improvement in the transport properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 964–971, 2002     

Gelation and structure formation in solutions of poly(vinyl chloride)

The thermo reversible gelation of poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) is investigated by calorimetric and optical measurements. In a dynamic heating or cooling scan different thermal transitions are observed. The temperatures of these enthalpic transitions as well as the gel-sol temperatures are dependent upon the fraction of PVC present in the sample and on the solvent quality. After isothermal annealing, supplementary endotherms, formed at a slow rate, are found on heating. The temperature of these isothermally formed endotherms is nearly concentration independent. In a previous paper a model for the gelation of PVC was proposed, based on the formation of cooperative, intermolecular associations possible between subsequent, syndiotactic monomeric units. In this paper it is shown that this gelation mechanism is general and occurs in different solvents. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal degradation studies in poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

The miscibility, morphology, and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends with different concentrations of poly(methyl methacylate) (PMMA) have been studied. The interaction between the phases was studied by FTIR and by measuring the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the blends using differential scanning calorimetry. Distribution of the phases at different compositions was studied through scanning electron microscopy. The FTIR and SEM results show little interaction and gross phase separation. The thermogravimetric studies on these blends were carried out under inert atmosphere from ambient to 800 °C at different heating rates varying from 2.5 to 20 °C/min. The thermal decomposition temperatures of the first and second stage of degradation in PVC in the presence of PMMA were higher than the pure. The stabilization effect on PVC was found most significant with 10 wt% PMMA content in the PVC matrix. These results agree with the isothermal degradation studies using dehydrochlorination and UV-vis spectroscopic results carried out on these blends. Using multiple heating rate kinetics the activation energies of the degradation process in PVC and its blends have been reported.     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride) with new aromatic thiol compounds. Synthesis and characterization

Different thiol compounds were tested for the synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with halogen groups and the course of the modification reactions followed under different conditions by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. It is shown that PVC can be modified without side reactions using 4-fluorothiophenol, 4-chlorothiophenol, 4-bromothiophenol, 3,4-di-fluorothiophenol, penta-fluorothiophenol and penta-chlorothiophenol. The reactivities and final degrees of modification of the different nucleophiles are compared showing that, when the thiolate salt is preformed, the bromine derivative reacts quicker and higher degrees of modification are reached than with its smaller homologues. On the other hand, using the thiol compounds in combination with potassium carbonate this order is inverted and highest degrees of modification are achieved with 4-fluorothiophenol. Glass transition temperatures and thermal stabilities of the new compounds are compared.     

Analytical screening of polyadipates and other plasticisers in poly(vinyl chloride) gasket seals and in fatty food by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Fourteen poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gasket seals and 15 samples of pesto, tomatoes sauces, olive oil and olives in oil were analysed for the additives and plasticisers. The systematic screening of the representative samples revealed that epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) was the principal plasticiser in eight gaskets and the concentrations of the substance ranged from 15% to 42%. Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) as main plasticiser was revealed in three samples and the amount ranged from 37 to 41%. Polyadipate was added in four samples at 16-46%. The concentration of ESBO exceeded 60 mg kg(-1) in three food samples with extreme at 281.9 mg kg(-1) and average 61.3 mg kg(-1). Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was detected in six food samples and it ranged from 2.5 to 8.7 mg kg(-1). The concentration of DEHP exceeded SML (3 mg kg(-1)) in five cases. The concentration of total polyadipate (PA) was 16.3 mg kg(-1) in average. All eight positive food samples for total PA showed the concentrations below SML (30 mg kg(-1)), which are specified for the fraction of polyadipates lower than 1000 Da. The migration rate of polyadipate in the food ranged from 1 to 7%. At such low transfer rate the polyadipates could be promising plasticisers for PVC gasket seals used in food industry.     

Latex interpenetrating polymer networks of epoxidised natural rubber/poly(methyl methacrylate): an insight into the mechanism of epoxidation

Composite latex particles consisting of epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesised to obtain interpenetrating polymer networks. Among the ENR latices having 9 to 36 mol% epoxide, prepared by in situ reaction using performic acid, the ENR latex with 25 mol% epoxide was selected for prevulcanisation by sulphur or γ-radiation system. The swelling ratios of sheets cast from the sulphur-prevulcanised ENR (SPENR) latices decreased with increasing prevulcanisation time while those cast from the γ-radiation-prevulcanised ENR latices were also inversely proportional to the irradiation dose. By applying the phase transfer/bulk polymerisation/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique, a homogeneous network structure in each of the SPENR particles and also a relative dense network near the surface in γ-radiation (RV) ENR particle were noticed. When 10 to 30 wt% of MMA swollen in ENR particles was polymerised, the mesh structure was observed in each particle. The dense network near the RVENR particle surface might be used as additional evidence that the degree of epoxidation and, hence, the presence of swollen n-butyl acrylate in the outer zone were higher than in the internal region.