Jl. Velada et al., A STUDY OF THE THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLY(MONO-N-ALKYL ITACONATES), Macromolecular chemistry and physics, 196(10), 1995, pp. 3171-3185
The thermal degradation of the first six members of poly(mono-n-alkyl
itaconates) by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetr
y (DSC), Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and FTIR evolved gas analys
is (FTIR-EGA) was studied. The degradation mechanism involves cyclic a
nhydride formation followed by crosslinking due to the linear anhydrid
e formation. In both processes water and/or alcohol evolution was dete
cted. Also, decarboxylation processes take place on all polymers at hi
gh temperatures (>180 degrees C). A mechanism of the degradation proce
ss is proposed.