Thermal decomposition of ternary copolymers of ethylene with vinyl esters of halogen-containing acids and vinyl alcohol

Thermal decomposition of the ternary copolymers of ethylene with vinyl esters of halogen-containing acids and vinyl alcohol, which are potential polymeric flame retardants, was studied. The measurements with thermogravimetry, gas chromatography, and IR spectroscopy showed that polymer decomposition proceeds through two stages involving, first, abstraction of side groups and, second, cleavage of backbone chains. Mechanisms of the formation of the major decomposition products were determined. The correlation between chemical structure of the initial polymer, the yield of hydrogen halide, and the tendency of a polymer to cross-linking and carbonization upon pyrolysis were established.