Abstract:
The general chemical and physical aspects of degradation of polymeric materials related to thermal treatment and the key influencing factors that play a crucial role in this degradation process have been briefly outlined. Use of different analytical tools to understand the degradation reaction mechanism and the kinetics have been analyzed using a number of case studies. Thermal degradation studies of various commercially and academically important polymers and their composites have been thoroughly reviewed. Influences of different fillers on the thermal degradation of polymer composites have been discussed in detail. Uses of stabilizers for preventing the thermal degradation and the utilization of thermal degradation for the polymer waste management have been addressed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of thermal degradation of polymeric materials have been summarized.