Thermal degradation of polyurethanes based on xylylene diisocyanates

Abstract

Abstract Polyurethanes derived from xylylene diisocyanates and trans ‐1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol were thermally degraded by using the techniques of thermogravimetry and pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure. Quantitative determination of the pyrolysis products such as CO 2 , diamine, olefin, and starting diol showed that these polyurethanes follow the typical mechanism of degradation via dissociation into starting diol and diisocyanate. Kinetic parameters for the overall degradation reaction were determined using four different methods. The results showed the influence of the experimental technique used when making a comparison of the thermal stability of polymers, as determined by the kinetic parameters of the degradation reactions.