Application of Instrumental Methods for Evaluating Highway Materials. Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography

摘要

A relatively new technique of combining pyrolysis (thermal decomposition) and gas chromatography has been used to produce characteristic identifying fragmentation patterns for many plastic and rubber materials which are used in highway construction and maintenance. In this report, pyrolysis gas chromatography was specifically used to detect compositional or processing differences, or both, in preformed neoprene joint seals supplied by different manufacturers and between different width joint seals from the same manufacturer. Such differences are pertinent since joint seals whose pyrolysis components have long retention times generally have high tensile strength and higher recovery from compression tests than those having short retention times. Procedural details of the methods and equipment descriptions are included. Specific materials used in delineator buttons, electrical wire insulation, traffic cones, etc., would also be amenable to this type of analysis. (Author)