The kinetic effect of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/glass ceramic and PVB/Ag cases was analyzed and discussed using dynamic Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The analytical results revealed that both of the inorganic materials in an air environment can greatly affect PVB thermal degradation. The reaction rates and pathways of thermal oxidative degradation of PVB with each inorganic composition were altered significantly. Moreover, for the PVB with ceramic cases, most of the carbon residue was left after the first period of PVB thermal degradation and oxidized at a higher temperature, while the carbon residue of PVB/Ag cases was simultaneously burnt during the main PVB thermal oxidative degradation period. In addition, the catalytic effect of both of the inorganic materials on PVB thermal degradation was demonstrated by calculating the formation rate of the volatile gas in an air environment.

ABSTRACT:The thermal degradation of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/glass ceramic, PVB/Ag, and PVB/glass ceramic/Ag composites was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen and air. Thermogravimetric data revealed that the compositions of both inorganic materials in air could greatly influence the thermal degradation of PVB. The degradation reactions of PVB/ceramic and PVB/Ag composites began earlier and accelerated rapidly at lower temperatures. The overall degradation period was obviously shortened for the thermal degradation of PVB/Ag in air, whereas a longer time was required for the PVB/ceramic composite than for PVB. Moreover, dual effects of ceramic and Ag on the thermal degradation of PVB were observed for PVB/ceramic/Ag composites. In addition, the catalytic effects of ceramic and Ag on the degradation reaction of PVB in air were verified with a kinetic analysis.

The kinetic analysis of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/glass ceramic/Ag composites was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and thermogravimetry (TG) data. Two significant stagessmain PVB degradation and residual carbon oxidations were observed for thermal oxidative degradation of the composites. The analytical results revealed that compositions of ceramic and silver in an air environment can greatly affect the thermal degradation. The reaction rates and pathways of thermal oxidative degradation of PVB were altered by compositions of these inorganic materials. Furthermore, dual influences of ceramic and silver on thermal oxidative degradation of the composites were demonstrated by the analyses. The catalytic effects of compositions of ceramic and silver on PVB thermal oxidative degradation were evaluated by the analytical data. In addition, the formation of residual carbon left from the main thermal decomposition stage of PVB with different compositions of ceramic and silver was also discussed.