PHASE-DIAGRAM OF POLYVINYL-CHLORIDE) AND SOLUTION CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE

The behaviour of mixtures of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and solution chlorinated polyethylene (SCPE) has been investigated as a function of temperature. These polymers have been found to be compatible over some ranges of composition and exhibit the phenomenon of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The thermally-induced phase separation has been investigated by optical, dynamic mechanical, and electron microscope techniques. The single phase mixture has been investigated by scanning analytical electron microscopy. Some investigation of the thermodynamics of the mixture has been made and the heat of mixing term has been found to be negative and small, i.e. favouring mixing. It has been shown that the technique of in situ polymerization overcomes many of the problems of preparing these polymer mixtures in the solid state. © 1979.