THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLY(ETHYL METHACRYLATE) AND ITS COPOLYMER WITH POLY(ETHYL ACRYLATE)

The thermal degradation behaviour of poly(ethyl methacrylate) homopoly mers and poly(ethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymers synthesized by using the benzoyl peroxide-dimethyl aniline redox pair at different temperatures (18-35 degrees C) was investigated. Contrary to some reports in the literature, the thermal degradation of PEMA wa s observed to rake place in multi steps. These are assigned to be loss of labile end groups, side chain scission, anhydride formation and ma in chain degradation steps. Dominating chemical formations at the end of these steps were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The homopolyme r samples synthesized at 18 degrees C showed a greater thermal stabili ty against degradation. Copolymerization with small amounts of ethyl a crylate was observed to impart thermal stability to PEMA by stabilizin g mainly the end groups against degradations.