THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF SHORT POLYESTER FIBER-POLYURETHANE ELASTOMER COMPOSITE

The thermal degradation of short polyester fiber reinforced polyuretha ne composites with and without different bonding agents has been studi ed by thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that degradation of the polyurethane takes place in two steps and that of the composites take s place in three steps. With the incorporation of 30 phr of fiber in t he matrix, the onset of degradation was shifted from 230 to 238 degree s C. The presence of bonding agents in the virgin elastomer and the co mposite gave an improved thermal stability. Results of kinetic studies showed that the degradation of polyurethane and the reinforced compos ites with and without bonding agents follows first-order reaction kine tics. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reser ved.