- Author
-
Brauman, S. K.
|
Chen, I. J.
- Title
- Polymer Degradation During Combustion. Annual Report, Revised.
- Coporate
- SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
-
NBS GCR 82-403,
September 1982,
38 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- NB80NADA1003
- Keywords
-
combustion
|
degradation
|
polymers
|
polystryrene
|
pyrolysis
|
regression rate
- Abstract
- The steady-state degradation and gasification of polystyrene was examined by a driven-rod radiant pyrolysis technique. The impinging radiation flux (5.6 watts/cm(2)) produced the same surface regression rate (0.06 cm/min) as was observed for the rods burning in air. The temperature profile in the regressing rod was measured by a fine thermocouple (0.13 mm junction) and the result used in conjunction with isothermal degradation kinetics to predict the rate of polystyrene gasification. The predicted rate is about 65% of the observed rate for the case of a nitrogen atmosphere. Other experiments include an examination of the effect of oxygen in the ambient gas and measurements of the molecular weight distribution in the degraded rods. It is concluded that the degradation mechanism for polystyrene is substantially unchanged in going from isothermal pyrolysis to combustion conditions.