| Abstract: | The degradation of cis-1,4-polybutadiene, polystyrene, and blends of PB and PS has been studied by thermogravimetry, thermal volatilization analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Volatile products have been investigated and separated by subambient TVA and characterized spectroscopically. In the degradation of the blends, there is no change in the nature of the volatile products of degradation, but the rate of degradation of the PS component is markedly reduced. The PB component is the first to break down, and during the initial period of degradation of the PB, the PS degradation is apparently inhibited. It is suggested that some of the volatile products of decomposition of PB, most notably 4-vinylcyclohexene, may diffuse into the PS phase in the blend and act as radical inhibitors. |
