THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF TETRAZOLE-CONTAINING POLYMERS .5. POLY-1-VINYL-5-AMINOTETRAZOLE

The thermal decomposition behaviour of poly-1-vinyl-5-aminotetrazole ( P-1VAT) was studied by high-resolution thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal volatilisation analysis. P-1VAT decom poses in two steps. Two parallel processes of the tetrazole ring split ting in the aminotetrazole pendant group, which evolve either nitrogen or hydrogen azide, are considered to be the first step. The partial v olatilisation of the melamine, formed in the first step, and polymer c hain fragments are observed in the second step. On thermal decompositi on under nitrogen, P-1VAT produces a 28% residue which is thermostable at 600 degrees C and which consists of a cross-linked polymer network , melem and melon.