TG/MS of poly(methyl metracrylate) - The effect of heating rate on the rate of production of evolved gases

Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry was performed to study the effects of heating rate on the rate of gasification of gases evolving from 0.5 min particles size industrial-grade PMMA. The controlled mass loss measurements and the evolved gases were conducted in pure nitrogen and various oxidative environments under heating rates of 2 to 5degreesC min(-1). The results indicated major differences, in pure nitrogen, the rate of production of gases is steeper compared to those associated with oxidative environment. Furthermore as the heating rate is lowered, it appears that the gases emanating from the surface are more volatile in the sense that they burst more abruptly from the surface.