A degradation study of waterborne polyurethane based on TDI

The thermal degradation of synthetic waterborne polyurethane (PU) based on toluene-diisocyanate (TDI) was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and thermogravimetry (TG). The degradation profiles of cast films obtained from dispersions were evaluated. More than 20 characteristic volatile pyrolyzates reflecting the structure and pyrolysis mechanisms of the polymer have been identified by on-line MS. The synthesized products of polyurethane were pyrolyzed at 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 degrees C respectively, and the analysis results revealed that the pyrolyzates distribution of the polyurethane depends strongly on the pyrolysis temperature. The aqueous polyurethane thermogravimetric measurements were used to study the kinetics of thermal degradation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.