DEGRADATION OF CONTAMINATED PLASTICS - A KINETIC-STUDY

The thermal degradation of polypropylene (PP), polyacrylonitrile butad iene styrene (ABS), polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hav e been studied in the presence of copper, iron oxide and dirt. The rat e constants and kinetic parameters for the degradation processes have been measured using the variable heating rate isoconversion method. Th e results suggest that the presence of metal contamination in these po lymer systems can influence the degradation behaviour of the pure poly mers. Generally it was found that certain metal contaminants could hav e a catalytic effect on the degradation processes of the polymers stud ied. This effect resulted in an increase in the measured rate constant s and a lower onset temperature of their degradation. The largest effe cts were noted with PP, where substantial increases in the rate consta nt were noted as well as significant differences in the apparent activ ation energies.