Significant effort has been made in the past by many workers to investigate the mechanism of thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The presence and role of free radicals has been controversial in this regard. Our data on PVC and chlorinated PVC systems demonstrate the existence of macroradicals in the early stage of thermal decomposition under inert and oxidative atmospheres. Data from conventional thermogravimetric experiments are used in conjunction with the electron spin resonance findings.

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