Thermal degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates)

The thermal degradation of selected poly(alkyl methacrylates) at temperatures between 300 and 800 °C was investigated by pyrolysis gas chromatography. Quantitative characterization of the pyrolysis products yields insights into the mechanism for thermal degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates) under these conditions. Unsaturated monomeric alkyl methacrylates, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, methanol, ethanol, and propanol were formed during thermal degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates).