Abstract
Some experiments were carried out to prepare chemically crosslinked poly (vinylalcohol)(PVA) films and fibers through intermolecular acetalization and esterification of carbonyl and carboxyl groups of PVA's degraded by hydrochloric acid. PVA films and fibers were immersed at 100°C in hydrochloric acid of 7-15% concentration containing a sufficient amount of sodium sulfate to keep the films and fibers insoluble. After various times of contact with hydrochloric acid, samples were withdrawn from hydrochloric acid, washed with water, dried and subjected to a test of solubility and swelling in boiling water. The higher the concentration of the hydrochloric acid or the longer the time of contact, the less soluble and swellable were PVA films and fibers and practically boiling water insoluble crosslinked PVA were thus ob-tained. Sulfuric acid could be used instead of hydrochloric acid.
