Premium
The flowing‐afterglow technique, and approach to the study of polymer thermal degradation
Author(s) -
Matuszak Michael L.,
Taylor Gene W.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1982.070270211
Subject(s) - thermogravimetric analysis , thermal stability , materials science , differential scanning calorimetry , polymer , thermal decomposition , composite material , afterglow , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , chemistry , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , physics , engineering , gamma ray burst , astronomy
We describe here a relatively new analytical method 1–3 for following the thermal reaction history of polymers by quantitatively detecting the evolution of gases and some volatiles by flowing‐afterglow spectroscopy. The thermal and oxidative stability of common plastics in many industrial and defense applications is of wide interest. We have studied the evolution of moisture and carbon dioxide from Li 2 CO 3 /Orlon‐filled diallyl phthalate (DAP) composites and have briefly examined the thermal stability of Estane 5703, a polyester‐based thermoplastic polyurethane. The results of these preliminary studies have shown the utility of FLAG spectroscopy as a means toward our understanding polymer stability and lifetimes in specified environments. FLAG data, combined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data, have extended our knowledge of Li 2 CO 3 /Orlon/DAP and Estane aging processes. The DAP composites evolve H 2 O and CO 2 at near ambient temperatures, and we have described the kinetics of gas evolution and have attempted to describe the mechanism of thermal degradation. In the 25–120°C temperature range Estane 5703 evolves CO 2 as a decomposition product and some adsorbed moisture.