GASES EMITTED DURING THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF A POLYPROPYLENE FILM AND A POLYURETHANE ADHESIVE

The thermal decomposition of a polypropylene film, a polyurethane adhe sive, as well as a polypropylene coated with a polyurethane adhesive h ave been studied by a thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, at a heating ra te of 5-degrees-C a minute with air flow. During the thermal analysis different decomposition steps which correspond to different weight los s rates were obtained on thermal curves. Gases were collected between the different decomposition steps and then analyzed. The results repor ted deal with the conversion of carbon into oxides and aldehydes-keton es, and also with that of nitrogen into hydrogen cyanide and isocyanat es. The findings lead to a better understanding of the hazards and ris ks of toxic emissions that may be generated by the gas formation follo wing heating of these materials.