ADHESION TO HYDROPHILIC SURFACES OF PLASTICIZED POLYVINYL-CHLORIDE) CONTAINING NOVOLAC-HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINE

The addition of relatively small amounts of novolachexamethylenetetramine phenolic to poly(vinyl chloride) plastisols has been used to increase the adhesion of the fused plastisol to hydrophilic surfaces like those of glass and steel. The principal mechanism by which this occurs has been studied and found to be, first, the dissolution of the novolachexamethylenetetramine complex in the plasticizer; second, the interaction of the nearby phenolic groups with the hydrophilic surface; and, third, the chain extension and crosslinking of the phenolic to form perhaps a very open cell foam structure through the plasticized vinyl that is attached to the substrate. Additional adhesion may arise from the adsorption of particles of the undissolved novolac complex on the surface and from viscoelastic effects from the cured vinyl composition. The problem with the decreased adhesion of thin plastisol coatings was also studied. It was found to be unrelated to the thickness per se. Rather, it seems to arise from the loss of hexamethylenetetramine at the air interface. Though hexamethylenetetramine is lost also from thicker coatings, the concentration near the adherend interface is less affected. Copyright © 1979 Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc.