A kinetic modeling study of the thermal degradation of halogenated polymers

This paper presents a semi-detailed and lumped kinetic model of poly(chloroprene) thermal degradation. This is the extension of a previous paper in which a polyvinylchloride (PVC) pyrolysis mechanism was presented. The mechanism of 38 species and pseudo-components (molecules and radicals) involved in about 190 reactions reproduces the main characteristics of poly (chloroprene) degradation and volatilization quite well. The presence of the two-step mechanism - the first step of which corresponds to dehydrochlorination/ condensation and the second to TAR release and residue CHAR formation - are correctly predicted both in quantitative terms and in the temperature ranges. The model was validated by comparison with some thermogravimetric analyses. Similarities and differences with PVC are discussed both in terms of degradation behavior and chemical mechanisms.