Publication Date
7-1989
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Wei-ping Pan, Darwin Dahl, Lowell Shank
Degree Program
Department of Chemistry
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a highly flammable compound. Finding a method to reduce HDPE's flammability is of great scientific interest to researchers and industry. Chlorination of the HDPE has been shown to have an effect on the flammability of the polymer. This study looks at the effects of various chlorinated samples on the thermal decomposition of HDPE in atmospheres of nitrogen, air, and oxygen. The thermal analysis instruments used were a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), and a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). To study the gaseous products evolved during thermal decomposition of the polymer Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography (GC) data were obtained. The results obtained showed that increasing chlorination suppresses the decomposition rate of the polymer by decreasing the flammability.
Disciplines
Chemistry | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Recommended Citation
Whitely, Michele, "A Study of the Flammability of Chlorinated Polyethylene by Thermal Analysis" (1989). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 2972.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2972