Apparent activation energies of the non-isothermal degradation of EVA copolymer

When ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, EVA, is heated, a two-stage thermal degradation occurs following its melting. The vinyl acetate content of the copolymer was determined to be 43.8% by using TA 2950 and TA 2050 thermogravimetric instruments. TG/FTIR was used to detect the evolved gas. Acetic acid and trans-1-R-4-R'-cyclohexane were the main products evolved from EVA in the first and second stage, respectively. The apparent activation energies were determined for both stages by differential methods.