Copolymers thermal stability

PC with siloxane/vinyl-based copolymer thermal stability, ductility at low-T, and impact resistance Derudder Wang, 1993... 

Typical examples were reported for two series of PC copolymers, thermally stabilized ones (PC-1) whose comonomer was l,T-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-tri-methylcyclohexane (BHTH MW = 310) and light stabilized ones (PC-II) whose comonomer was 2,2 -methylenebis[6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(l,l,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl)phenol] (MBTP MW = 656). The molecular structures for the PC-1 and PC-11 are shown in Figure 11.9. Figure 11.10 illustrates the typical pyrograms for (a) PC-I and (b) PC-11 obtained in the presence of TMAH. In both cases, only three... 

Polymeric vinylidene chloride generally produced by free radical polymerization of CH2 = CCl2. Homopolymers and copolymers are used. A thermoplastic used in moulding, coatings and fibres. The polymers have high thermal stability and low permeability to gases, and are self extinguishing. 

Cross-linked macromolecular gels have been prepared by Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of polystyrene with a dihaloaromatic compound, or Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of styrene—chloroalkyl styrene copolymers. These polymers in their sulfonated form have found use as thermal stabilizers, especially for use in drilling fluids (193). Cross-linking polymers with good heat resistance were also prepared by Eriedel-Crafts reaction of diacid haUdes with haloaryl ethers (194). 

Acrylamide copolymers designed to reduce undesired amide group hydrolysis, increase thermal stability, and improve solubility in saline media have been studied for EOR appHcations (121—128). These polymers stiH tend to be shear sensitive. Most copolymers evaluated for EOR have been random copolymers. However, block copolymers of acrylamide and AMPS also have utiHty (129). 

New copolymers based on a copolymerization of isobutylene and p-methyl-styrene with improved heat resistance have been reported [64]. Once copolymerization was accomplished, the polymer was selectively brominated in the p-methyl position to yield a terpolymer called EXXPO. In contrast to butyl and halobutyl, the new terpolymer has no unsaturation in the backbone and therefore shows enhanced thermal stability and resistance to oxidation. Useful solvent-based adhesives can be formulated using the new terpolymer in combination with block copolymers [65]. The hydrocarbon nature of the new terpolymer results in excellent compatibility with hydrocarbon resins and oils. 

Block copolymers can contain crystalline or amorphous hard blocks. Examples of crystalline block copolymers are polyurethanes (e.g. B.F. Goodrich s Estane line), polyether esters (e.g. Dupont s Hytrel polymers), polyether amides (e.g. Atofina s Pebax grades). Polyurethanes have enjoyed limited utility due to their relatively low thermal stability use temperatures must be kept below 275°F, due to the reversibility of the urethane linkage. Recently, polyurethanes with stability at 350°F for nearly 100 h have been claimed [2]. Polyether esters and polyether amides have been explored for PSA applications where their heat and plasticizer resistance is a benefit [3]. However, the high price of these materials and their multiblock architecture have limited their use. All of these crystalline block copolymers consist of multiblocks with relatively short, amorphous, polyether or polyester mid-blocks. Consequently they can not be diluted as extensively with tackifiers and diluents as styrenic triblock copolymers. Thereby it is more difficult to obtain strong, yet soft adhesives — the primary goals of adding rubber to hot melts. 

It may not be appropriate to compare the thermal stability characteristics of VC/VAc copolymer to that of a VC homopolymer (PVC). The copolymerization would involve different kinetics and mechanism as compared to homopolymerization resulting structurally in quite different polymers. Hence, copolymerization of VC with VAc cannot be regarded as a substitution of chlorines in PVC by acetate groups. To eliminate the possibility of these differences Naqvi [45] substituted chlorines in PVC by acetate groups, using crown ethers (18-crown-6) to solubilize potassium acetate in organic solvents, and studied the thermal stability of the modified PVC. Following is the mechanism of the substitution reaction ... 

The effect of substitution of labile chlorines by acetoxy groups on the thermal stability of polymer taken in isolation appears to correspond to the thermal degradation behavior of VCA Ac copolymers over the whole composition range [136,137]. 

This further interesting effect of very low levels of acetoxylation on the thermal stability of PVC may be explained on a basis similar to that applied to the copolymers, with specific reference to labile chlorines taken in isolation. But this can only be done with a certain amount of caution. 

The observed reversal in the thermal stability of the copolymer at a critical composition, which appears to be between 30 and 40 mol% of ethylene, may be explained on the basis of the emergence of phase-separation between the nonpolar ethylene and polar vinyl chloride blocks. Although crystallization of the ethylene blocks in the copolymer is only observed when more than 70 mol% ethylene units are present, the possibility of phase-separation occurring at lower contents of ethylene units cannot be excluded. Also, round about the critical copolymer composition, the Tg of the copolymer may be reduced to a level that would facilitate separation between the unlike phases by increased molecular mobility within the polymer matrix. As has been discussed earlier, occurrence of phase-separation in the copolymer would not only make the mechanism of stabilization due... 

Bowmer and Tonelli [161] have also studied the thermal characteristics of the whole range of ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymers prepared by partial reductive dechlorination of PVC using tri-n-butyltin-hydride. Naqvi [162] has substantiated further his explanations for the thermal stability characteristics of ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymers reported by Braun et al. [159] using the results of Bowmer and Tonelli [161] as a basis. 

Bowmer and Tonelli [161] have also observed that the magnitude of the glass transition (ACp) increases with the ethylene content of the copolymer, goes through a maximum at about 30 mol%, and then continually decreases until no glass transition is observed at more than 80 mol% of ethylene. This may constitute further evidence in favor of the explanations put forward by Naqvi for the thermal stability behavior of similar copolymers reported by Braun et al. [159]. Initially, with increasing content of nonpolar ethylene units in the co-... 

Poly(hydroxyphenyl maleimide)-b-PBA was added to thermosetting phenol resin to improve heat resistance [63]. PVC blended with poly(vinyl copolymer having cyclohexyl maleimide group)-b-PVC showed improved heat resistance and tensile strength with thermal stability during processing [64]. 

Fibres based on AN copolymers containing 4—10% of monomeric units of JO42 and obtained by wet spinning from solutions in DMF have a much better (2-8 times) resistance to multiple deformations than PAN fibres and have a higher light-fastness than PAN fibres. They are, however, inferior to the latter with respect to abrasive resistance and thermal stability. 

The effect of propagation-depropagation equilibrium on the copolymer composition is important in some cases. In extreme cases, depolymerization and equilibration of the heterochain copolymers become so important that the copolymer composition is no longer determined by the propagation reactions. Transacetalization, for example, cannot be neglected in the later stages of trioxane and DOL copolymerization111, 173. This reaction is used in the commercial production of polyacetal in which redistribution of acetal sequences increases the thermal stability of the copolymers. 

More recently, St. Clair and co-workers176) reported the use of aromatic amine terminated polydimethylsiloxane oligomers of varying molecular weights in an effort to optimize the properties of LARC-13 polyimides. They observed the formation of two phase morphologies with low (—119 to —113 °C) and high (293 to 318 °C) temperature Tg s due to siloxane and polyimide phases respectively. The copolymers were reported to have improved adhesive strengths and better thermal stabilities due to the incorporation of siloxanes. 

Development of several new siloxane-imide copolymers for commercial applications have also been reported by Lee 181) and Berger58). Although no information was given in terms of the chemical compositions of these materials, most of these polymers were reported to be processable by solution or melt processing techniques, most probably due to their high siloxane contents. However, due to the presence of low (—20 to —120 °C) and high (>230 °C) temperature Tg s, it was clear that multiphase copolymers have been synthesized. Molecular weights and thermal stabilities, etc, were not reported. 

In most of the studies discussed above, except for the meta-linked diamines, when the aromatic content (dianhydride and diamine chain extender), of the copolymers were increased above a certain level, the materials became insoluble and infusible 153, i79, lsi) solution to this problem with minimum sacrifice in the thermal properties of the products has been the synthesis of siloxane-amide-imides183). In this approach pyromellitic acid chloride has been utilized instead of PMDA or BTDA and the copolymers were synthesized in two steps. The first step, which involved the formation of (siloxane-amide-amic acid) intermediate was conducted at low temperatures (0-25 °C) in THF/DMAC solution. After purification of this intermediate thin films were cast on stainless steel or glass plates and imidization was obtained in high temperature ovens between 100 and 300 °C following a similar procedure that was discussed for siloxane-imide copolymers. Copolymers obtained showed good solubility in various polar solvents. DSC studies indicated the formation of two-phase morphologies. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of these siloxane-amide-imide systems were comparable to those of siloxane-imide copolymers 183>. 

Poly(ether ester) (PEE) copolymers were consisted of soft segments of polyethers and hard crystalline segments of polyesters. Depending on the polyether/polyester ratio, PEE copolymers exhibit a wide range of mechanical behavior combined with solvent resistance, thermal stability, and ease of melt process ability. 

A different approach, although stdl working with essentially non-fiinctional polymers has been exemplified [114,115], in which, a 100% solid (solvent free) hot melt has been irradiated to produce pressure-sensitive adhesives with substantially improved adhesive properties. Acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate copolymers with small amounts of A,A -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diacetone acrylamide, A-vinyl pyrrohdone (NVP) or A A have been used in this study. Polyfunctional acrylates, such as trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and thermal stabilizers can also be used. 

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