Thermal stability of ion-exchange resins

The action of heat, radiation and oxidants on carbonchain polymers, such as ion-exchange resins, often cause irreversible chemical changes in macro molecules. These changes can be e g the rupture of the carbon-carbon single or double bond, and/or the degradation of the macro molecule. Ion-exchange materials also contain the far less stable bonds between functional groups and the polymer matrix. For this reason the thermal stability of ion-exchange mat- erials is mainly based on the behaviour of the functional groups, which are responsible for the ion-exchange. The solidification of the ion-exchange resin waste usually involves elevated tempera- tures. Bituminization is carried out at 130-160 degrees C. Cementa- tion is carried out at room temperature. However, cementation can generate temperatures of up to 100-120 degrees C in the solidifica- tion product during the curing period. In this study the swelling/ shrinking properties of different ion-exchange materials have been studied in air and water as a function of the drying time and temp- erature. The air dried resins were used as the reference material. The effect of sodium sulphate as a possible additive to reduce swelling was studied, The experiments which were performed and re- sults observed are discussed in detail in the Appendices. (Authors)