Plasticized polymers glass transition temperature

The residual monomer content will by external plasticization cause a considerable lowering of the polymer glass transition temperature. A correlation between stability and softness of the polymer particles may exist. The hydrophobic part of the emulsifier molecules may partly penetrate the particle surface and thus be anchored to the surface to some extent. The resistance to deformation of such a stabilizing layer, when subjected to mechanical shear, is assumed to be dependent on the polymer particle softness. With soft particles polymer chain entanglement may also occur on particle-to-particle contact, making redispersion of agglomerates more unlikely. 

Chi, M.S. Compatibility of cross-hnked polymers with plasticizers by glass transition temperature measurement and swelling tests. J. Polym. Sci. Pol. Chem. Ed. 1981, 19, 1767-1779. 

This is also the case for PGSS, where the SCF is applied to lower the melting temperature of a solid, or a solid solution, in order to finally obtain solid particles as a result of the subsequent pressure reduction. The difference is that, here, the solubility of the SCF in the HC is needed, rather than the opposite. Data of this kind are still scarce, but it is well known that the amount of SCF soluble in a HC can be significant. For instance, we recall the plasticizing effect of CO2 on many polymers, which lowers the polymer glass transition temperature, so that a liquid solution can be formed, provided that a suitable pressure is applied. 

ATg =T,2-T, decrease in the glass transition temperature of polymer by plasticization Tgi glass transition temperature of plasticizer. 

Tg glass transition temperature of mixture of polymer and plasticizer Tgi glass transition temperatures of components... 

PVC is an amorphous polymer (glass transition temperature = 220 °F, 105 °C). As a result, it has good clarity. Another important characteristic is that it can be extruded either as a rigid material or as a flexible material by adding a plasticizer to the polymer. Rigid films can be metallized and punched into sequins for dressmaking applications. Flexible films are used to overwrap clothing and other textile products. 

The aim of the present work was focused on the improvement of the mechanical properties as well as the water resistance of caseinate-based films. The first part of this study deals with the control of the mechanical properties through addition of a plasticizer. A plasticizer is defined as a low volatile organic compound which causes a decrease in polymer glass transition temperature (Tg) and an increase in flexibihty and extensibility. By decreasing intermolecular forces between polymer coils, plasticizers cause an increase in material flexibility and conversely a decrease in the barrier properties due to the augmentation of the free volume [13,14]. To summarize, an initially hard and brittle material becomes soft and flexible when sufficiently... 

Polymer systems have been classified according to glass-transition temperature (T), melting poiat (T ), and polymer molecular weight (12) as elastomers, plastics, and fibers. Fillers play an important role as reinforcement for elastomers. They are used extensively ia all subclasses of plastics, ie, geaeral-purpose, specialty, and engineering plastics (qv). Fillets are not, however, a significant factor ia fibers (qv). 

A plasticizer is a substance the addition of which to another material makes that material softer and more flexible. This broad definition encompasses the use of water to plasticize clay for the production of pottery, and oils to plasticize pitch for caulking boats. A more precise definition of plasticizers is that they are materials which, when added to a polymer, cause an increase in the flexibiUty and workabiUty, brought about by a decrease in the glass-transition temperature, T, of the polymer. The most widely plasticized polymer is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) due to its excellent plasticizer compatibility characteristics, and the development of plasticizers closely follows the development of this commodity polymer. However, plasticizers have also been used and remain in use with other polymer types. 

The dynamic mechanical properties of VDC—VC copolymers have been studied in detail. The incorporation of VC units in the polymer results in a drop in dynamic modulus because of the reduction in crystallinity. However, the glass-transition temperature is raised therefore, the softening effect observed at room temperature is accompanied by increased brittleness at lower temperatures. These copolymers are normally plasticized in order to avoid this. Small amounts of plasticizer (2—10 wt %) depress T significantly without loss of strength at room temperature. At higher levels of VC, the T of the copolymer is above room temperature and the modulus rises again. A minimum in modulus or maximum in softness is usually observed in copolymers in which T is above room temperature. A thermomechanical analysis of VDC—AN (acrylonitrile) and VDC—MMA (methyl methacrylate) copolymer systems shows a minimum in softening point at 79.4 and 68.1 mol % VDC, respectively (86). 

Poly(vinyl acetate) is too soft and shows excessive cold flow for use in moulded plastics. This is no doubt associated with the fact that the glass transition temperature of 28°C is little above the usual ambient temperatures and in fact in many places at various times the glass temperature may be the lower. It has a density of 1.19 g/cm and a refractive index of 1.47. Commercial polymers are atactic and, since they do not crystallise, transparent (if free from emulsifier). They are successfully used in emulsion paints, as adhesives for textiles, paper and wood, as a sizing material and as a permanent starch . A number of grades are supplied by manufacturers which differ in molecular weight and in the nature of comonomers (e.g. vinyl maleate) which are commonly used (see Section 14.4.4)... 

It must be above its glass transition temperature, which means that the polymer chains have sufficient thermal energy to move freely. Many rubbery materials have glass transition temperatures around 200 K, below which they are glassy, like plastics. 

Apparently local motions indicating differences in packing are closely related to the mechanical properties of glassy polymers. One of the puzzling features of the P-relaxation in PC as in other glassy polymers 3 6 76 77) is that it often is suppressed if the glass transition temperature is lowered by adding a plasticizer. The material then becomes brittle, which severely limits the applications of such polymers. Such low... 

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