The nonisothermal method of Freeman and Carroll is used to investigate the kinetics of the thermal degradation of polyethylene and polystyrene. The reactions were studied thermogravimetrically under a vacuum of 1 mm Hg. Decomposition appears to occur in stages. The rate parameters were determined for each region of reaction. Mechanisms of degradation are suggested. The results of this investigation are compared with the kinetic parameters reported by other investigators for the decompostion of these polymers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.