Thermal behavior of poly(dimethyl itaconate) and poly(di-n-butyl itaconate) copolymerized with methyl methacrylate

The thermal degradation behavior of random copolymers of dimethyl itaconate and di-n-butyl itaconate with methyl methacrylate was studied. The thermal stability of copolymers depends on the structure of the di-n-alkyl itacona te comonomer, and on the copolymer composition. The relative thermal stabil ity increases with the methyl methacrylate copolymer molar fraction, follow ing a trend similar to the glass transition temperature variation. The acti vation energy was obtained by using MacCallum and Tanner's approach. In add ition, the thermal degradation of homopolymers was evaluated in inert atmos phere as well as in thermo-oxidative conditions, presenting different behav iors.