α and β relaxation processes in internally plasticized poly (vinylchloride)

The alpha and beta relaxation processes of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) have been studied by means of dielectric relaxation in samples of PVC internally plasticized by the substitution of chlorine atoms either by hydrogen ones or by the benzenethiolate group in order to investigate the properties of this polymer which has a relaxation function with one of the largest widths. In the alpha relaxation process the width of the relaxation function is decreased. The beta relaxation temperature of the process is decreased. These facts, as well as X-ray diffraction results, suggest that the intermolecular interactions of PVC, due to the chlorine atoms, are diminished by the substitution process, making the molecular motions of PVC easier. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.