PYROLYSIS OF UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN. QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS.

Abstract

In the reported study, the thermal decomposition of this resin was examined by quantitative pyrolysis-gas chromatography. The decomposition does not follow the Hurd-Blunck mechanism generally obeyed by beta-hydrogen containing esters. Instead, phthalic anhydride is extruded almost quantitatively. It is proposed that the mechanism involves the rearrangement of the phthalate C-O bonds to extrude the anhydride, leaving a maleic acid-dipropylene glycol polyester chain.