| Abstract: | The thermal stability of PVB and five VB-MA copolymers with different compositions was studied by thermogravimetric analysis in dynamic nitrogen. The reactivity ratios of the copolymers were determined by using NMR techniques. It was found that r1(VB) = 0.5 ± 0.1 and r2(MA) = 7.3 ± 0.3. The stability of VB increases as the MA concentration in the copolymer compositions increases. Apparently, the formation of lactone and anhydride structures has a stabilizing effect. The stability imparted to the degrading copolymers by lactone and anhydride structures is insufficient to produce stability comparable to that of PMA itself. |
