REVERSIBLE PLASTICIZATION OF THE AROMATIC COPOLYESTER OF POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) AND 60 MOLE % p-ACETOXYBENZOIC ACID AND WITH 1,1,1,3,3,3 HEXAFLUORO-2-PROPANOL.

Abstract

The mechano-optical properties of solution cast films of the aromatic copolyester of polyethylene terephthalate) and 60 mole % and p-acetoxybenzoic acid (PET/PHBA 40/60) from 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol were examined and it was observed that this solvent, a volatile solvent with boiling point at 59 degree C, acts as a reversible plasticizer in that it extends considerably the deformability of aromatic copolyester in the solid state and can be removed readily by evaporation after the deformation process. This report describes preliminary results of the reversible plasticization effects of 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol on the physical and mechanical properties of the aromatic copolyester of PET/PHBA 40/60.