THERMAL STUDIES ON THE SAPONIFICATION PRODUCTS OF ACRYLONITRILE TERPOLYMER

Thermal behavior of saponified products of an acrylic terpolymer was studied by different scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry in a nitrogen atmosphere. The exothermic reaction was attributed to the oligomerization of nitrile groups by comparing the extent of the reaction with the number of nitrile groups present. A shift in the position of the exotherm was observed with an increase in the degree of saponification up to 0. 730, but further increase in the extent of saponification let to the disappearance of the exotherm though the nitrile content was found to range between 4. 5 and 2. 2%. This work is pertinent to synthetic textile fibers.