Effect of polymer degradation products on plasticizers

In recent studies, polyvinylbutyral was subjected to thermal degradation in temperatures ranging from 50 to 200°C without and with phthalate plasticizer. A free caiboxyhe acid was produced from degradation of the polymer. It was postulated that a plasticizer is degraded by radical formation from the ester group. Changes in plasticized materials begun to occur above 150°C.  

Future studies need to find out the exact mechanism of plasticizers degradation in the presence of degradation products with special attention to acid formed during degradation. 

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