In polymers, such as plastics, thermal degradation refers to a type of polymer degradation where damaging chemical changes take place at elevated temperatures, without the simultaneous involvement of other compounds such as oxygen.

Thermal decomposition is a chemical reaction where heat is a reactant. Since heat is a reactant, these reactions are endothermic meaning that the reaction requires thermal energy to break the chemical bonds in the molecule.

Thermal degradation occurs when the polymer changes its properties under the influence of increased temperature. Initially, it causes the migration of low-molecular-weight additives in aging materials, if any are present.

Thermal degradation of polymers is a complex process that may involve random scission, depolymerization, and side group elimination leading to changes in polymer molecular weight and loss of useful properties, such as color, mechanical strength, and impact resistance.

Jul 27, 2024 · Thermal degradation is the process where a polymer material deteriorates when exposed to high temperatures. This phenomenon leads to changes in the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the polymer, consequently affecting its performance and longevity in applications subject to heat.

Polymer degradation occurs when polymeric materials undergo elevated temperatures that can cause the loss of physical properties, such as optical and mechanical properties.

papers report a new approach that studies the effects of molecular-level structure of polymers on their thermal stability and flammability properties instead of a tradi-tional global thermal-balance approach.

Thermal degradation of polymers is ‘molecular deterioration as a result of overheating’. At high temperatures the components of the long chain backbone of the polymer can begin to separate (molecular scission) and react with one another to change the properties of the polymer.

Sep 23, 2022 · The thermal degradation of PP essentially occurs through two reaction steps [35, 36]: 1. Depolymerisation, also called unzipping, during the production of propylene. 2. Hydrogen transfer from the tertiary carbon atom along the polymer chain to the radical site and β-scission.

May 3, 2022 · Thermal degradation is a type of polymer degradation in which damaging chemical changes happen at elevated temperatures. "The onset of thermal degradation dictates the maximum temperature at which a polymer can be used," which is a critical parameter to consider when processing and manufacturing the polymer. Polymer processing techniques, such ...