No abstract

Four resins of poly(propylene glycol adipate) were mixed with different amounts of MgO and their viscosities were measured after a month. The viscosities increased by several thousand but the increase was less for resins containing more water. The existing explanations of the thickening behavior, namely the polymerization and the coordinate complex formation theories, were found to be inadequate in accounting for the observations. Small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the thickened resins revealed formation of aggregates of magnesium ions, much like those observed in other ionomers. It is postulated that domain formation is the cause of observed thickening. A correlation between the viscosity of thickened resins and the amount of metal oxide reacted, the water content, and other properties of resin was obtained.

Kinetics of thermal degradation occurring on polyester containing cationic dyeable comonomer units viz. 5-sulphoisophthalate moieties are studied by measurement of changes in intrinsic viscosity and carboxyl values on the polymer after subjecting the polymer chips to temperatures in the range 275-285 C for different residence times ranging from 5 to 60 min and comparing with the homopolymer. The activation energy values for degradation are estimated from the kinetic data. Mechanical properties of the textured yarns produced from the partially oriented yarns (POY) spun under different residence times are measured. Yarn produced with higher residence time has poor mechanical properties. The SEM images of the POY show presence of particles at the surface of the yarn due to polymer degradation. The size of the particles as seen on the surface increase with increase of retention time. Addition of thermal stabilizer helps in controlling the thermal degradation.

No abstract