Thermal analysis of nitro-substituted epoxide polymers

The thermal properties of a number of nitro-substituted and analogous nonnitro-substituted expoxide polymers were investigated. Dramatic increases in char yield and decreases in maximum rate of weight loss were observed for the nitro-substituted systems compared to their nonnitrated analogs. These effects were enhanced when highly functional and highly aromatic epoxide resins were used. The sample size and heating rate employed had pronounced effects upon the amount of char formed during thermal degradation. Analysis of char residues indicates heteroring formation for the nitro-substituted systems during pyrolysis.