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Pyrolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers: Characterization of involatile residues
Author(s) -
Carlsson D. J.,
Day M.,
Suprunchuk T.,
Wiles D. M.
Publication year - 1983
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.1983.070280226
Subject(s) - pyrolysis , infrared spectroscopy , ethylene , fire retardant , residue (chemistry) , materials science , diffuse reflection , diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform , thermal decomposition , nitrogen , polymer chemistry , polyester , infrared , poly ethylene , decomposition , dimethyl terephthalate , spectroscopy , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , catalysis , optics , physics , photocatalysis , quantum mechanics
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric was degraded under rapid heating conditions and the solid residue characterized by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Fabric samples with and without flame retardant were pyrolyzed in air or nitrogen and spectra‐recorded after various percentage weight changes. Dominant species included carboxylic acid end groups and linear anhydrides, based on infrared absorbances before and after chemical treatments of the residues. Vinyl benzoate end groups were clearly precluded, as were cyclic anhydrides. Diffuse reflectance spectra were also compared with spectra obtained by transmission infrared on conventional KBr discs prepared from the same residue. The former technique was shown to be superior to the pressed disc method for the tough residues obtained by thermolysis.