The compatibility of (natural) polyols with heavy metal- and zinc-free poly(vinyl chloride): Their effect on rheology and implications for plate-out

This paper describes the rheological effects observed after addition of (natural) polyols to several different types of heavy metal-free PVC formulations. It is found that addition of natural polyols, such as sorbitol, leads to changes in the rheology of the system comparable to the addition of external lubricants. Hence as suggested previously, addition of (natural) polyols may lead to the occurrence of undesirable plate-out phenomena. The magnitude of the effect on the rheology depends on the number of hydroxyl groups in the polyol and its propensity to undergo intramolecular cyclodehydration reactions. It is established that the undesirable rheological effects, which coincide with plate-out phenomena, can be suppressed by the addition of various types of inorganic as well as organic substances, most of which are known PVC additives. This will allow for the use of (natural) polyols as efficient and benign co-stabilisers in next generation stabiliser systems.