Abstract
The thermal decomposition of halogenated unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs), flame retarded by zinc hydroxystannate and cross-linked with styrene, has been investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) in both dynamic and isothermal mode, and TG coupled on-line with Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) or mass spectroscopy (TG-MS). The data from TG analysis show that degradation proceeds in two steps for pure as well as modified UPR, while the char residue at 500°C was considerably higher for flame-retarded resins. Analysis of the volatile decomposition products by FT-IR and MS spectrocopy revealed that, during controlled heating, emission of phthalic anhydride takes place at ca. 330°C, then at ca. 380°C styrene and a complex mixture of other aromatic compounds is evolved. Further studies by TG-FTIR revealed that evolution of CO 2 is considerably lowered by zinc hydroxystannate, whereas at a higher stage of decomposition evolution of H 2 O and HBr (traces) can be identified. On the basis of the results obtained a mechanism of decomposition was proposed that takes into account tin compounds reactions with the products coming from ester linkage rupture processes.
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