HIGH-TEMPERATURE TG DSC/QMS APPLICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL-PROTECTION/

The decomposition reactions of polystyrene, phenolic resin and a prote ctive undercoating material for automobiles which contains PVC were te sted using a new type of thermal analysis mass spectrometry coupling s ystem for measurements to 1500 degrees C or 2000 degrees C, which is b ased on the principle of a two-step skimmer orifice system. The result s will be presented, with particular emphasis on the detection sensiti vity of the new system for the products of decomposition. The capabili ty of this coupling system to detect even heavy metals such as lead an d silver in the waste gases from decomposition or after evaporation at high temperatures will also be demonstrated.