STUDY OF THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLYCHLOROTRIFLUOROETHYLENE, POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) AND COPOLYMERS OF CHLOROTRIFLUOROETHYLENE AND VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE

A systematic study of the thermal degradation of a series of homopolym ers and copolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride was carried out using thermogravimetry and thermal volatilisation anal ysis (TVA). Volatile products were separated by subambient TVA and cha racterised by means of infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. On degradation, polychlorotrifluoroethylene gives the monomer as the maj or product and CO2, C2F2Cl2, C3F5Cl and C2F3Cl3 in traces. Poly(vinyli dene fluoride) forms hydrogen fluoride in appreciable quantity along w ith the monomer and C4H3F3. The copolymers show a similar type of degr adation pattern. The structural changes which take place during degrad ation have also been studied and mechanisms of formation of the variou s products are disccused.