Polyvinyl chloride insoluble gels: Their structure and effect on properties of cast films

Abstract

The effect of insoluble gel material, crystalline aggregates, and suspension particle membranes on the physical and mechanical properties of solution cast films of suspension PVC has been studied. The chemical structure and morphology of the insoluble gel material was also studied. The suspension particle membranes are found to contain significant amounts of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups but are still predominately PVC. These particles affect the transparency of cast films as well as the surface topography by forming discrete clusters upon drying which are uniformly distributed throughout the films. Finally, insoluble gel material is found to have no significant effect on the low and high speed mechanical properties of the films.