The thermal degradation and kinetics of bisphenol A polysulfone (PSF) have
been studied by high-resolution thermogravimetry (TG). The influence of the
testing atmosphere and heating rate on the thermal degradation characteris
tics of the PSF has been discussed. The thermal degradation temperature of
the PSF increases slightly with an increase of heating rate or with the var
iation of testing atmosphere in the order of: in air < in nitrogen < in vac
uum < in argon. The activation energy of the thermal degradation for the PS
F also increase from 140, 258 to 293 kJ/mol with variation of the testing a
tmosphere from air, nitrogen to argon. The activation energy of thermal deg
radation calculated by high-resolution TG in nitrogen and air are almost th
e same as those by traditional isothermal or constant heating rate TG. The
isothermal weight loss in a certain temperature range could be correctly pr
edicted on the basis of the kinetic parameters determined by nonisothermal
high-resolution TG. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.