PYROLYSIS KINETICS OF EPOXY-RESIN IN A NITROGEN ATMOSPHERE

Pyrolysis kinetics of epoxy resins are investigated under various heat ing conditions (2, 5, 10, and 20 K min(-1)) in nitrogen by means of th ermogravimetric measurements. Experimental initial reaction temperatur es are within 531-552 K for each heating rate and the averaged apparen t activation energy is 41.26 kcal mol(-1). The initial and final react ion temperatures, and thus the reaction range, all increase when the h eating rate is increased. The overall rate equation can be modelled by an Arrhenius-type equation from which the kinetic parameters such as the activation energy, the pre-exponential factor, and the reaction or der are determined by using the Friedman method. The results will be u seful in developing pyrolysis or starved-air incineration systems for thermosetting plastic waste.