MASS-SPECTROMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF THE FORMATION OF VOLATILE PRODUCTS ACCOMPANYING HEATING OF A COPOLYMER OF TRIFLUOROCHLOROETHYLENE WITH VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE

The mechanisms of thermal degradation of copolymers of trifluorochloro ethylene with vinylidene fluoride are investigated at the molecular le vel by thermal desorption mass spectrometry. It is shown that HCl and HF are released in two stages. The low-temperature stage is not relate d with. the destruction of the main chain and is due to the formation of rare intermolecular crosslinks (one or two per two chains). The hig h-temperature stage is observed in the same temperature interval as ar e other products of thermal degradation which attest to depolymerizati on processes taking place. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.