Novel poly(methyl methacrylate)-based ionomers used as multifunctional aids to modify poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based ionomers with different lanthanum (La(III)) contents (PMMA-XLa) synthesized by free radical solution polymerization were applied to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resins as a kind of multifunctional aids, and their performances were evaluated by measuring the static stability time, initial discoloration, transparency, fusion behavior and tensile strength of the modified PVC. The ionomers with proper lanthanum (La(III)) contents show a better thermal stability efficiency in comparison with traditional stabilizer lanthanum stearate. Meantime, they can accelerate PVC plasticization more efficiently than PMMA. The rigid PVC products stabilized with the ionomers present good transparency and enhanced tensile strength.