Thermo-oxidation degradation of poly (vinyl acetate)

Thermo-oxidative stability of poly (vinyl acetate) has been examined by measurement of loss in weight on heating in air. Weighted amounts of poly (vinyl acetate) placed in silica crucible were heated at four temperatures i.e. 125, 150, 175 and 200 deg. C for five hours in a ventilated furnace to an average atmosphere and weight losses were determined at various time intervals. These data were plotted as (a) percent volatilization in 5 hours versus temperature (b) as rate of volatilization versus percent volatilized. It has been found that above 125 deg. C the reaction proceeds rapidly, reaches a maxima then falls Activation energy based on rate of evaporation is found to be 12.98 Kcal/Mole. Further, work is in progress to enhance the thermal stability of poly (vinyl acetate). (author)