Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a compound suitable for preparing articles, such as pipe, with good physical properties, such as impact strength, and resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESC). In particular, the technology relates to a vinyl chloride copolymer resin, such as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride, herein collectively referred to as CPVC that maintains suitable processability at molecular weights above which other vinyl chloride polymer resins will not flow. Furthermore, the invention relates to vinyl chloride copolymer compounds containing the vinyl chloride polymer resin, and articles made from such compounds, which compounds meet 23447 cell classifications under ASTM D1784.

Abstract: A novel process has been found in which effectively and completely neutralizes chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resin. The process comprises neutralizing the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resin by a weak non-gassing base. The weak non-gassing base has a pKa less than 7.0 and is not a carbonate. The resulting chlorinated polyvinyl chloride polymer is stable and does not degrade.

Abstract: Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is prepared from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When PVC is made utilizing polyvinyl alcohol, the low molecular weight CPVC compound so prepared is colored. A low molecular weight CPVC compound prepared from PVC that was made in the presence of a cellulose ether instead of polyvinyl alcohol resulted in a very low color compound having a DE of O by definition. However, a CPVC compound prepared from PVC made in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol resulted in a relatively high color (DE 18.51). During the polymerization of vinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol is replaced with the hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose ether having a methoxyl substitution of 15-35 percent and a hydroxypropoxyl substitution of from 4-35 percent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which permits the photochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) resin ("PVC"), in an aqueous medium without the use of swelling agents such as are conventionally used. The chlorination reaction proceeds in an aqueous suspension having a high PVC concentration, yet allows the production of essentially uniformly chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) resin ("CPVC") of excellent quality and uniformity, with a heat distortion temperature ("HDT") of at least 100.degree. C. The transfer of chlorine from the gaseous phase into the aqueous phase, and then into the solid PVC phase, has been accelerated by this process which provides a critical combination of photo-illumination, elevated temperature and elevated pressure in a reactor devoid of oxygen and a swelling agent for the PVC. The "water-chlorination process" of this invention provides a "soak" period, after removal of oxygen from the aqueous PVC suspension, at a soak temperature of about 60.degree. C. to about 75.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) ("CPVC") which is dissolved in liquid chlorine ("Cl.sub.2 ") to form a CPVC solution. CPVC is recovered by adding the CPVC solution to a halogenated lower alkaline ("HLA"), which is simultaneously an excellent solvent for liquid Cl.sub.2 and a very poor solvent for CPVC. This peculiar property causes the CPVC to be precipitated from the three-component mixture as a finely divided solid with different morphological properties than if the HLA was added to the CPVC solution. The solid CPVC precipitated may then be separated from the solution of liquid Cl.sub.2 in the HLA. This solution of Cl.sub.2 in HLA is further separated into its component liquids, namely HLA and liquid Cl.sub.2 which are then each reused.