Preparation and application of low molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride). IV. Preparation and characteristics of poly(vinyl chloride) with broad molecular weight distribution

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with a broad molecular weight distribution (BMD‐PVC) was prepared by suspension polymerization in the presence of PVC with relatively lower molecular weight (LMW‐PVC), which was prepared by suspension polymerization in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol as a chain‐transfer agent. It is elucidated using porosity measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersion X‐ray microscopy (EDXM) that the resultant BMD‐PVC grains have an interesting internal structure at the level of primary particles. Discoloration time and fusion time of the BMD‐PVC was studied. Discoloration time and fusion time of BMD‐PVC is particularly dependent on the polymerization degree (Pw) of LMW‐PVC and LMW‐PVC content in the BMD‐PVC samples. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.