Thermogravimetric analysis of a polycyanurate thermosetting material

The thermal degradation of a fully cured polycyanurate thermosetting material was examined by monitoring the mass loss at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 220°C. The effect of the copper naphthenate catalyst, generally used to facilitate curing, is also studied. A decrease in weight is observed with increasing time at elevated temperatures in the systems containing copper naphthenate, with the onset of degradation occurring sooner with higher concentrations of the copper compound. The apparent activation energy for degradation is 220±30 kJ mol^-1.