The effect of process and structural parameters on the stability, thermo-mechanical and thermal degradation of polymers with hydrocarbon skeleton containing PE, PP, PS, PVC, NR, PBR and SBR

Many studies have been done on the stability, thermo-mechanical degradation and pyrolysis of polymers with hydrocarbon skeleton. According to the main structure, side groups, with and without double bond in the structure, polymer has different responses in reference to the thermo-mechanical and thermal degradations. The polymers in extruder are faced with thermo-mechanical degradation while with appropriate stability against thermo-mechanical degradation, the shelf time of the final products increases, and the polymeric wastes are reduced. On the other hand, the structural and process parameters can significantly affect the resulting pyrolysis products as suitable process to reduce the non-recyclable polymers. Also the literature review in this field containing reactor and TG studies shows that the chemical bonds and the related degradation mechanisms can affect the quality and quantity of the pyrolytic products obviously. For this purpose, the effects of different molecular specifications, additives and related effective parameters on the thermal stability and the thermo-mechanical degradation of plastics are considered. Meanwhile, the mechanisms of degradation, the share of each mechanism, the related products under different structural and process parameters and the needed activation energy for all of the studied polymers are investigated to reduce the polymeric wastes sent to landfills.

Automated summary

Numerous studies have been conducted on the stability, thermo-mechanical degradation, and pyrolysis of polymers with hydrocarbon skeleton. Different responses of polymers to thermo-mechanical and thermal degradations are observed based on their main structure, side groups, and presence of double bonds. Structural and process parameters play a significant role in determining the resulting pyrolysis products, with suitable processes identified as a means to reduce non-recyclable polymers. Literature review in this field highlights the impact of chemical bonds and degradation mechanisms on the quality and quantity of pyrolytic products. Efforts to reduce polymeric waste sent to landfills focus on understanding the degradation mechanisms, related products, and required activation energy for various studied polymers.