Stauffer Chemical Company

Sheldon F Gelman

Leonard Feiler

Vinyl halide homopolymers, particularly polyvinyl chloride, which exhibit improved processing characteristics without sacrificing physical properties are prepared by partially polymerizing a vinyl halide monomer at an initial temperature level whereupon the reaction temperature is then raised and the polymerization is continued at this increased temperature level preferably while in the presence of a chain transfer agent so as to obtain a polymer having an average molecular weight range different from that obtainable at the first reaction temperature. The resulting polyvinyl chloride provides the physical characteristics of polymer blends but can be processed much more readily than a mechanical blend of homopolymers of varying molecular weights, fusing more easily and without the undesirable formation of fish eyes.

Method for preparing vinyl halide homopolymers having improved

Vinyl halide polymers, preferably polyvinyl chloride, which exhibit improved processing characteristics without sacrificing physical properties are prepared by partially polymerizing vinyl halide monomer at a first reaction temperature and then changing the reaction temperature and continuing the polymerization at a second temperature conducive to forming a polymer of an average molecular weight range different from that obtainable at the first reaction temperature. The product provides the physical characteristics of polymer blends but can be processed without formation of fish eyes.

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Danbury, CT, United States of America

Sheldon F Gelman