Evaluation of the thermal stability of cyclized polymers. I

Abstract

The thermal stability of commercially available polymers was investigated under set conditions. Some polymers show two inflections while others give a single inflection indicating the processes of cyclization and degradation. Polymers with a methyl-containing heterocyclic moeity undergo rapid decomposition while others with a carbonyl-containing heterocyclic unit are relatively more stable. In general our observations support the idea that the nature of the heterocyclic moeity and the hinge groups in the polymer chain plays a vital role in the thermal stability of these polymers.