Factors Influencing the Value of Tg

A third factor influencing the value of Tg is backbone symmetry, which affects the shape of the potential wells for bond rotations. This effect is illustrated by the pairs of polymers polypropylene (Tg=10 C) and polyisobutylene (Tg = -70 C), and poly(vinyi chloride) (Tg=87 C) and poly(vinylidene chloride) (Tg =- 19°C). The symmetrical polymers have lower glass transition temperatures than the unsymmetrical polymers despite the extra side group, although polystyrene (100 C) and poly(a-meth-ylstyrene) are illustrative exceptions. However, tacticity plays a very important role (54) in unsymmetrical polymers. Thus syndiotactic and isoitactic poly( methyl methacrylate) have Tg values of 115 and 45 C respectively. 

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