| Abstract: | Pyrolysis rates, energies of activation, and DSC data were obtained for cellulosic fibers crosslinked with increasing amounts of formaldehyde. Pyrolysis rates are affected by the reduction in degree of polymerization, the breaking of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and the introduction of covalent linkages that accompany the crosslinking process. Thermal stabilization of cellulose is related mainly to the formation of interchain crosslinks. The influences of the crystallinity and orientations of the polymers upon changes in thermal stability and pyrolytic behavior due to crosslinking are demonstrated. |
