Influence of temperature on the ultrasonic degradation of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl chloride)

This study investigates the effect of temperature on the ultrasonic degradation of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride in chlorobenzene. The time evolution of molecular weight distribution was determined using gel permeation chromatography. Continuous distribution kinetics was used to obtain the degradation rate coefficients. The rate coefficients decrease with increasing temperature, and this is attributed to the increase of vapor pressure and the decrease of kinematic viscosity. The degradation rate coefficient also changes sharply near the glass transition temperature, indicating that this factor may play a role in the degradation process. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.