Characterization of poly (vinyl chloride) prepared by radiation‐induced bulk poly‐merization at temperatures from −50° TO 90°C

Osmotic, viscometric, and light scattering measurements have been carried out on poly (vinyl chloride) samples, obtained by bulk polymerization on exposure to 60Co γ‐rays at dose rates varying over a 100‐fold range and at regularly spaced temperatures from −50 to 90°C. While with the samples prepared at the higher temperatures, solutions could be conveniently made in tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone appeared to be a more suitable solvent when polymerization temperatures from 10°C downwards were concerned. Furthermore, with the latter cases, strong heating treatments of the solutions were required. Correlations among the various parameters, deduced from the measurements, were examined and found in agreement with reported relationships for conventional poly (vinyl chloride). The patterns of gradual change of molecular weight with changing polymerization conditions were discussed.