Some factors affecting the solubility of polymers

Abstract The solubility of a polymer in a non‐polymeric liquid depends mainly on the heat of mixing. When no polar forces are concerned, the cohesive energy densities of polymer and solvent must be close; a method is given for estimating the cohesive energy densities of polymers from a set of additive constants, and it is shown that good agreement is found between values so calculated and values obtained by swelling measurements. The effects of dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding are also discussed. The solubility of polyvinyl chloride in a number of solvents is considered, and correlated with both the cohesive energy density of the solvent and its ability to form hydrogen bonds.