Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis of epoxy (DGEBA)/novolac resin blends (ENB) during pyrolysis and combustion

The thermal degradation of epoxy (DGEBA) and phenol formaldehyde (novolac) resins blend was investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The results of TGA revealed that the thermal degradation process can be subdivided into four stages: drying the sample, fast and second thermal decomposition, and further cracking process of the polymer. The total mass loss of 89.32 mass% at 950 °C is found during pyrolysis, while the polymer during the combustion almost finished at this temperature. The emissions of carbon dioxide, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, etc., while aromatic products, are emitted at higher temperature during combustion and pyrolysis. It was observed that the intensities of CO₂, CO, H₂O, etc., were very high when compared with their intensities during pyrolysis, attributed to the oxidation of decomposition product.