The relation of structure to some physical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alkyl ethers)

The preparation of a homologous series of eighteen poly(vinyl alkyl ethers) by cationic solution polymerization is reported. Physical and mechanical properties of the polymer were found to be highly dependent on the size or bulkiness of the alkyl side chain. Thus, poly(vinyl alkyl ethers) having highly branched alkyl groups exhibited a higher glass transition temperature (T g ), higher softening point, increased hardness, tensile strength, 100% modulus and modulus of elasticity than the corresponding polymers possessing straight chain alkyl groups. In addition, it was found that the higher the degree of steric hindrance about the oxygen atom of the vinyl alkyl ether monomer, the higher the rate of polymerization.