Thermal degradation of polyurethanes (PUs) having various kraft lignin
(KL) contents in nitrogen and also in air was studied by simultaneous
thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy TG-FTIR.
Changes of volatile products at various temperatures ware analysed. D
ifferences in TG curves and FTIR spectra of PUs and raw materials were
observed, suggesting that the thermal degradation mechanism of PUs is
different from that of raw materials. The amounts of thermal degradat
ion products having characteristic functional groups changed according
to the KL contents in the PUs. Thermal degradation in nitrogen appare
ntly proceeded in one step, while it proceeded in two steps in air. Th
is marked difference suggested that an oxidation reaction occurred dur
ing the thermal degradation of PUs in air. (C) 1998 Society of Chemica
l Industry