A study of the thermal degradation of several poly(monoalkylaryl itaconates)

Thermal degradation processes in poly(monobenzyl itaconate), poly(mono-2-phenylethyl itaconate) and poly(mono-3-phenyl-1-propyl itaconate), have been studied by DSC, TGA, EGA and FTIR. These analyses have indicated the absence of glass transitions in the three polymers and the occurrence of thermal degradative processes at temperatures of 120 degrees C. This thermal behaviour is confirmed by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) which allows us to distinguish between at least three different degradative processes below 250 degrees C. Evolved gas analyses (EGA), employing an FTIR detector, and the infrared spectra of the residue allow us to speculate about the degradative reaction mechanisms. Three main degradation reactions have been proposed at temperatures below 250 degrees C, namely cyclic and linear anhydride formation, with loss of water and the corresponding alcohol, and decarboxylation reactions at higher temperatures. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited