STUDY OF THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLY(FURFURYL METHACRYLATE) BY THERMOGRAVIMETRY

The thermal degradation of poly(furfuryl methacrylate) (PFM) has been studied by means of dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in the te mperature range 100-600-degrees-C under nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere s at various heating rates, and the apparent activation energy for the interval 230-340-degrees-C corresponding to the first degradation ste p was determined. Isothermal TGA at 250-degrees-C, 275-degrees-C and 3 00-degrees-C was carried out and the apparent activation energy values obtained were compared with those determined in dynamic experiments. The residues from isothermal degradation experiments were analysed by infrared spectroscopy and the results seem to indicate that in the the rmal degradation of PFM the formation of cyclic structures of 2,4-dime thylglutaric anhydride occurs in the macromolecular chains, together w ith partial depolymerization of polymer segments, as well as intermole cular crosslinking through oxidation of the C-H bond in position 5 of some furfuryl rings.