Pyrolysis kinetics of epoxy resin in a nitrogen atmosphere

Pyrolysis kinetics of epoxy resins are investigated under various heating conditions (2, 5, 10, and 20 K min(-1)) in nitrogen by means of thermogravimetric measurements. Experimental initial reaction temperatures are within 531-552 K for each heating rate and the averaged apparent activation energy is 41.26 kcal mol(-1). The initial and final reaction temperatures, and thus the reaction range, all increase when the heating rate is increased. The overall rate equation can be modelled by an Arrhenius-type equation from which the kinetic parameters such as the activation energy, the pre-exponential factor, and the reaction order are determined by using the Friedman method. The results will be useful in developing pyrolysis or starved-air incineration systems for thermosetting plastic waste.