EFFECT OF CATALYST ON THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF A POLYCYANURATE THERMOSETTING SYSTEM

The thermal degradation of a polycyanurate thermosetting material was examined by monitoring glass temperature and weight loss at various te mperatures ranging from 180 to 220 degrees C. The effect of the cocata lysts, nonylphenol and copper naphthenate, which are generally used to facilitate curing, were also studied. A decrease in T-g is observed w ith increasing time at elevated temperatures in the systems containing copper naphthenate, with the onset of degradation occurring sooner wi th higher concentrations of the copper compound. No change in T-g occu rred at long times in systems containing only nonylphenol. Weight loss studies were used to calculate an apparent activation energy of degra dation. It was found to be approximately 50 kcal/mol. (C) 1997 John Wi ley & Sons, Inc.