The use of model compounds in interpreting the thermal degradation of poly(methy methacrylate)

Summary Methyl methacrylate oligomers have been synthesised and used as models to probe the effect of groups formed during termination of polymerization on the thermal stability of poly(methyl methacrylate). Oligomers containing a head-to-head linkage were found to be the least thermally stable, degrading at temperatures around 190°C. In comparison, oligomers containing unsaturated end groups degrade at 255°C, while models containing saturated terminal units are relatively stable and only degrade at temperatures in excess of 300°C.