Abstract:
The tensile strength of a vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer (10-25 per cent vinylidene chloride) is increased by incorporating an amine and a heat-hardenable phenolformaldehyde type resin therewith and then subjecting the composition to heat. Preferred amines are polyalkylene polyamines such as hexamethylenetetramine. Other amines specified are monomethyl-propylene diamine, m-phenylene diamine, di-3-amino propyl methylamine, sym.-dicyclohexyl-di-propylene triamine, mono - hexadecylamine, triethylamine, di - 3 - amino propyl ether, morpholine, piperidine, piperazine and dibenzyl amine. Phenol-formaldehyde type resins specified are cresol-formaldehyde, phenol - formaldehyde, xylenol - formaldehyde, resorcinol - formaldehyde, and phenol-furfural. The preferred temperature of heating is from 240 DEG to 360 DEG F. and preferred proportions are 1 to 10 per cent by weight of the amine and 2-10 per cent by weight of the phenol resin, based on the copolymer. The heat treatment is generally continued until there is an increase in tensile strength of at least 50 per cent over that of the untreated copolymer. An acid acceptor such as magnesium oxide, sodium carbonate and magnesium carbonate may also be present as may a plasticiser such as dibutyl sebacate, methoxy ethyl oleate, dioctyl phthalate, or tributyl phosphate. An example of the treatment using mixtures of vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, dibutyl sebacate, magnesium oxide, cresolformaldehyde and hexamethylene tetramine is given. Specification 572,875 is referred to.