Kinetics of Degradation of Some Polystyrenes and Copolymers of Styrene and Acrylonitrile

摘要

The kinetics of degradation of some polystyrenes and a series of copolymers of styrene and up to 33.4% acrylonitrile were studies by dynamic thermogravimetry in vacuum. An average activation energy of 42.5 k. cal was found for the entire series independent of composition. The primary effect of the acrylonitrile units is to increase the rate of chain scission and this effect is masked by the overall rapid initial rate of chain scission as the sample temperature is increased. (Author)