The kinetics of thermal decomposition of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) has been studied by means of thermogravimetry (TG). Two commercial samples of PPS have been used in this work: Ryton, from Philips Petroleum, and Fortron, from Hoechst-Celanese. The kinetic parameters, i.e. activation energy and Arrhenius' pre-exponential factor have been calculated by using three different methods. The results reported here agreed with the literature data. The estimation of polymer half-lifetime was also made, showing that Fortron is more thermally stable than Ryton.
Poly(phenylene sulfide); thermogravimetry; kinetics; activation energy; half-lifetime
