Thermogravimetric Assessment of the Stabilizing Influence of N-Substitutedmaleimides on Vinylidene Chloride/Methyl Acrylate Copolymers

摘要

As a consequence of their excellent barrier properties vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate copolymers have long been prominent in the plastic packaging market. While these polymers possess a number of superior characteristics, they tend to undergo thermally-induced degradative dehydrochlorination at process temperatures. This degradation must be controlled to permit processing of the polymers. Three series of N-substitutedmaleimides (N-alkyl-, N-aralkyl, and N-aryl) have been synthesized, characterized spectropically, and evaluated as potential stabilizers for a standard vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate (nine weight percent) copolymer. As surface blends with the polymer, these compounds are ineffective as stabilizers. However, significant stabilization may be achieved by pretreatment of the polymer with N-substitutedmaleimides. The most effective stabilization of the polymer is afforded by N-(n-alkyl)maleimides.