Photooxidation of cured fluorinated polymers .2. Quantitative study of the photooxidation by mass spectrometry

The photooxidation mechanisms of two copolymers of fluorinated olefins and allyl or vinyl ethers have been previously established. The different photoproducts have been identified, by completing analysis of the solid polymeric matrix by an analysis of the low molecular weight photoproducts that migrate towards the surrounding atmosphere. The present article describes an analytical method based on mass spectrometry that is developed to measure directly the concentrations of the volatile products. These analyses permit a verification of the mechanism and a quantification of the possible routes of oxidation. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited