The kinetics of the thermal degradation of polystyrene and polyethylene

Abstract

Abstract The nonisothermal method of Freeman and Carroll is used to investigate the kinetics of the thermal degradation of polyethylene and polystyrene. The reactions were studied thermogravimetrically under a vacuum of 1 mm Hg. Decomposition appears to occur in stages. The rate parameters were determined for each region of reaction. Mechanisms of degradation are suggested. The results of this investigation are compared with the kinetic parameters reported by other investigators for the decompostion of these polymers.