Publications Details
Thermal decomposition of polymers in nitrogen and in air
To provide input to numerical models for hazard and vulnerability analyses, thermal decomposition of eight polymers has been examined in both nitrogen and air atmospheres. Experiments have been done with poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(diallyl phthalate), Norwegian spruce, polyvinyl chloride), polycarbonate, poly(phenylene sulphide), and two polyurethanes. Polymers that formed a substantial amount of carbonaceous char during decomposition in a nitrogen atmosphere were completely consumed in an air atmosphere. However, in the case of polyurethanes, complete consumption did not occur until temperatures of 700° C or higher. Furthermore, to varying degrees, the presence of oxygen appeared to alter the decomposition processes in all of the materials studied.