dissolving polystyrene and NOT other polymer: finding the right solvent

- W
- wavefront
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
19 years ago

Mon, Dec 6, 2004 3:27 AM

Hi,

Does anyone know of a solvent that will dissolve polystyrene while leaving any of these other three polymers alone: PMMA(polymethylmethacrylate) or PVK/PVCz( polyvinylcarbazole) or PPHenaz(polyphenazasiline)? Or even where one might find a table of common polymers and what they dissolve in? I know polystyrene dissolves in pretty much anything, but hopefully someone knows if one of the others is more hardy, such that I may remove the polystyrene coat with out removing the other polymer.

Thanks!

- J
- john.spevacek
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
19 years ago

Mon, Dec 6, 2004 1:40 PM

Toluene or heptane will dissolve the PS and leave the PMMA alone.

The Polymer Handbook has a wonderful table of polymers and their solvents. The book costs >$300 so you either need to be rich, have access to a technical library at a local university, or know an engineer whose employer has purchased it.

John

- M
- Monzonite
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
19 years ago

Tue, Dec 7, 2004 5:47 AM

Toluene will dissolve PMMA, slowly. We actually use toluene to make a solution of PMMA for spin-coating. However, it does take some time to complete dissolve it. We are using 15K Mw. PMMA. Maybe higher Mw PMMA such as 950K has better resistance to toluene.