CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF POLYETHYLENE EVALUATED BY TG

HZSM-5 zeolite was screened as catalyst for high density polyethylene degradation at 450 degrees C, under nitrogen static atmosphere. Two di fferent samples were studied in this condition: HDPE alone and mixed w ith HZSM-5. The reactor was connected on line to an HP 5890-II gas chr omatograph. Sample degradation was investigated using a Perkin-Elmer D elta 7 Thermobalance, from room temperature to 800 degrees C, with hea ting rates of 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 degrees C min(-1). From TG curves, th e activation energies, calculated using an integral kinetic method, de creased 60.6% in the presence of the zeolite.