Polymer characterization by thermal evolution techniques

Thermal evolution techniques continuously monitor materials thermally evolved from a sample on controlled heating. Either stepwise detection of such volatiles as a function of temperature or time, or quantitative measurement and identification of these materials provides very useful information. Transducers include vacuum gauges, electrochemical devices, thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors, etc. These techniques have shown promise in studies of thermal stability and degradation mechanism, analysis of trace impurities and additives, and elucidation of polymer structures. Other applications are in the areas of vapor pressure measurement and toxicity studies of constituents in polymer systems.