| The rates and activation energies of the degradation of GRS, polybutadiene, and polystyrene, initiated by 2,2-asoisobutyronitrile have been measured and a general mechanism describing this reaction has been postulated. Degradation has been shown to be due to an oxidation chain reaction, and is completely random in nature. A kinetic treatment, using the alkoxy radical formed in the oxidation chain as the locus of the scission reaction, has been applied and the individual rate constants and activation energies estimated. Studies of the inhibition of degradation by mercaptan and phenl-beta-naphthylamine have also been carried out. |
