POLY(DIALKOXYETHYL ITACONATES) .2. THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF SOME POLY(DIALKOXYETHYL ITACONATES)

The oxidative and non-oxidative degradation of poly(di-methoxy-), poly (di-ethoxy-), poly(di-iso-propoxy-) and poly(di-n-butoxyethyl itaconat e) were investigated by thermogravimetry. Characteristic degradation t emperatures and apparent activation energies of degradation were deter mined for the non-oxidative degradation of all the investigated polyme rs. It was not possible to determine these characteristics in the pres ence of oxygen as the degradation was accompanied by a secondary exoth ermic reaction. Based on examination of the monomers, it is supposed t hat the exothermic reaction is a repolymerisation of the monomers rele ased during the earlier stages of polymer degradation.