Polyurethane (PU) foams derived from molasses were placed in soil for various periods from 3 to 12 months. Thermal properties of PU's before and after biodegradation were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Glass transition of PU's after 3 month's degradation was separated into two stages indicating that molecular chains of the original and decomposed portions move independently. Based on variation of glass transition temperature (T-g), heat capacity difference at T-g (Delta C-p), thermal degradation temperature and mass loss, the degradation mechanism of PU was establised. [References: 12]
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