Kinetic parameters for the thermal degradation of an epoxy electrical insulator

✍ Scribed by L. Barco; G. Belleri; D. Beruto

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1976
• Weight: 415 KB
• Volume: 1
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0390-6035
• DOI: 10.1016/0390-6035(76)90037-7

✦ Synopsis

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of an epoxy electrical insulator were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Isothermal runs were made in the range 567°K -617°K using a Langmuir-type cell. Because of the difficulty of determining the specific forms of the kinetic equations, a modified isothermal referent method was derived. The method did not require the deterruination of the specific form of the decomposition rate equations.

Application of this method revealed that the isothermal decomposition occurs in two stages. The apparent activation energy for the first stage is 33 Kcal/mole and for the second 38 Kcal/mole. A critical discussion of the resuits points out the opportunity of characterizing complex degradation processes through the temperature dependence of their rate.