| Abstract: | Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was degraded at processing temperatures in an inert atmosphere. The samples were analyzed by means of a size exclusion chromatograph equipped with a differential refractometer and a photo-diode array UV-visible detector. This enabled us to record online the presence of polyenes at different positions along the molecular weight distribution of the degraded polymer. Polyenes proved to be concentrated on the low molecular weight side of the distribution and, more specifically, on the high molecular weight side, which had been broadened upon degradation. The results indicate that low molecular weight PVC degrades relatively fast and that PVC molecules containing polyenes crosslink easily. |
