REVERSIBLE CROSSLINKING DURING THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF PVC

PVC undergoes rapid crosslinking during thermal degradation. Diels-Alder addition of conjugated polyenes was proposed as a possible crosslinking mechanism by earlier authors. By the use of conditions favoring retro Diels-Alder reaction of crosslinks (treatment with maleic anhydride at elevated temperature) it was proved that crosslinks are largely reversible. Evidently Diels-Alder addition of the conjugated polyenes plays an important role in crosslinking during thermal degradation of PVC. © 1978 Springer-Verlag.