Identification and Analysis of Urethane Foams by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography

Abstract

A method has been developed for analyzing urethane foams by pyrolysis gas chromatography. As samples, five flexible urethane foams are synthesized. Pyrolysis is performed at a series of temperatures between 650° and 1000°C in a quartz tube attached to the inlet port of the separation column. The identification of the pyrolysis products is also carried out by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Using the pyrograms at 850°C, the determination of isocyanates utilized as raw materials is carried out. The thermal degradation profile at relatively high tmeperature (650°–1000°C) is also discussed.