Thermo-oxidative infection in populations of EPDM particles studied by imaging chemiluminescence

Imaging chemiluminescence (ICL) technique was applied to study the oxidatio n in different populations of EPDM particles (10 mu m to 2 mm) at 135 degre es C and 150 degrees C. The time course of the chemiluminescence from isola ted particles revealed a considerable difference in stability towards oxida tion in different particle populations. A physical spreading of the oxidati on was observed in populations where the distance between particles was les s than approximately 500 mu m. The onset of spreading to adjacent particles was synchronous with the onset of a pronounced loss of mass and the format ion of volatile compounds in the gas phase, indicating that species related to the oxidative degradation of the polymer function as transmitters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.