Peroxide induced crosslinking and degradation of polyvinyl chloride

Peroxide induced crosslinking and degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were experimentally investigated using an on‐line electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy technique. The reaction variables included temperature, peroxide type and concentration. A single line ESR spectrum was observed with its peak‐to‐peak width decreasing during the reaction. The mechanism involved in the reaction was elucidated based on the radical information. The radical concentration versus reaction time profile exhibited two distinct regions: the chemically initiated reaction continued by the thermal initiation. The addition of peroxide induced and significantly enhanced the thermal initiated crosslinking and degradation. The radical concentration data coupled with the extent of dehydrochlorination gave an estimate of the rate constant of polyene propagation. A significant decrease of the rate constant was observed during the reaction. The gel content and swelling ratio were also measured to provide additional information to the reaction process. The initial gelation rate increased with the increase of temperature and/or peroxide concentration. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 851–860, 1998