Vinylidene chloride copolymers are important barrier polymers widely used in plastic packaging applications. They serve as excellent barriers to the transport of oxygen and other small molecules, as well as the flavor and aroma constituents of important foodstuffs. Unfortunately, these materials tend to undergo thermally induced degradative dehydrochlorination at process temperatures (150 °C - 170 °C) Various approaches have been explored in an effort to limit/control the degradation process. In this instance, the influence of the presence of various N-substituted maleimides at varying levels, both as a physical blend and as a pretreatment, on the degradation of a vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride (15 wt%) copolymer has been examined by thermogravimetry.
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