Measurement and simple equation models of the specific heats of neat and glycerol‐plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol)

The specific heats (<i>C</i>_sp) of neat and glycerol‐plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry at 330–530 K. Glycerol‐plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) was prepared by a melt‐blending method. The outcomes were modeled into mathematical functions. Incorporation of glycerol increased the specific heat of PVOH. Glycerol provided internal lubrication to the PVOH system, giving a smoother and lower‐amplitude melting curve. As a result, glycerol‐plasticized PVOH had a lower melting‐temperature range than neat PVOH. However, higher energy was required to increase the temperature of glycerol‐plasticized PVOH. The modeling functions showed a best fits regression range of 0.967–0.999. Neat PVOH and glycerol‐plasticized PVOH required 1166.05 J/g and 2113.09 J/g, respectively, to increase the temperature from 330 to 530 K. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:198–203, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers