Thermally stimulated discharge (TSD) study of low-temperature transitions in chlorine-containing polymers

Thermally stimulated discharge current (TSD) tests on PVC, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated PVC, and chlorinated paraffins always show a relatively low-intensity transition in the - 100 to - 80 degrees C range. Several chlorine-containing polymers and one chlorinated paraffin were tested up to 70% chlorine content by short-circuited TSD method. The intensities of these transitions show a maximum at about 40% chlorine content except for PVC. Knowing the random nature of chlorination, it is assumed that this transition origins from the rotational movement of neighboring -CH2-CHCl- monomeric units.