Pyrolysis Study of Waterborne Polyurethane

The thermal degradation of synthetic waterborne polyurethane（PU） based on toluenediisocyanate（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.In helium atmosphere,the synthesized products of polyurethane were pyrolyzed at 350,450,550,650 and 750 ℃ respectively,and the thermal decomposition products were analyzed on line using GC/MS.The product analysis reveals that the pyrolyzates distribution of the polyurethane depends strongly on the pyrolysis temperature.Based on the Py-GC/MS data,the thermal degradation mechanism of the polyurethane is discussed.