Thermal degradation of polymers

Ok, first of all let’s recap what basically is polymer degradation.

Polymer degradation is a change in the properties of a polymer – such as tensile military capability, color , shape, free molecular weight – or of a polymer-based product under the influence of one or more environmental factors, such as heat, brightness level, chemical substance, or any other force applied.

Abjection is often due to a change in the chemical substance and/or physical social structure of the polymer strand , which in turn leads to a decrease in the molecular free weight of the polymer. These changes may be undesirable , such as changes during use, or desirable, as in biodebasement or deliberately lowering the molecular weight of a polymer. Such changes occur primarily because of the effect of these factors on the chemical composition of the polymer.

The susceptibleness of a polymer to abasement depends on its structure. Epoxy glue and Sir Ernst Boris Chain containing aromatic functionality are especially susceptible to UV light degradation while hydrocarbon -based polymer are susceptible to thermal degradation and are often not apotheosis for high-temperature applications.

The degradation of polymer to configuration smaller atom may proceed by random scission or specific scission. The degradation of polythene occurs by random scission – a random breaking of the bonds within the polymer. When heated above 450°C (840°F), polythene degrades to form a mixed bag of hydrocarbons. Other hydrocarbon polymers, such as poly-α-methylstyrene, undergo specific string scission with breakage occurring only at the ends and such polymers depolymerize (unzip) to green groceries the constituent monomer.

While the degradation appendage represents unsuccessful person of the polymer to perform in serving , the procedure can be useful from the viewpoints of understanding the structure of a polymer or recycling /reusing the polymer waste to prevent or reduce environmental pollution.

The sorting of polymer waste for recycling use may be facilitated by the knowledge of the degradation process and assist in recycling.

The general chemical and physical aspects of polymeric material degradation related to thermal treatment and the main influencing factors which play a crucial role in this process of degradation have been outlined briefly.

Usage of different analytical methods to understand the mechanism for the degradation reaction and the kinetics were studied using a variety of case studies.

Thermal degradation sketch of various commercially and academically important polymer s and their composites have been thoroughly reviewed. Influence of different fillers on the thermal degradation of polymer composites have been discussed in detail.

Uses of stabilizers for preventing the thermal degradation and the utilization of thermal degradation for the polymer waste management have been addressed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of thermal degradation of polymeric materials have been summarized.