PHOTODEGRADATION OF HIGH POLYMERS. PART V. PHOTOLYSIS OF POLY(ALKYLENE POLYSULFIDES) IN VACUUM.

Abstract

The rates of weight loss of several poly(alkylene polysulfides) during exposure to a simulated space environment were measured and compared to the rates of weight loss of several nonsulfur containing polymers. The products of degradation of poly(methylene disulfide and tetrasulfide) and poly(ethylene disulfide and tetrasulfide) were identified and gaseous products were quantitatively measured. The major products of degradation were hydrogen sulfide, carbon monosulfide (which polymerizes on surfaces within the exposure cell), and, for the methylene polymers, carbon disulfide. The tetrasulfide polymers deposited a rubbery film on the walls of the exposure cell which was spectroscopically identical to exposed poly(alkylene tetrasulfide). A mechanism of degradation compatible with these results is suggested. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 04, 1965
Accession Number
AD0612425

Entities

People

  • L. G. Isaacs
  • R. B. Fox

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acyclic Hydrocarbons
  • Alkenes
  • Body Weight
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Degradation
  • Environment
  • Ethylenes
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen Sulfides
  • Inorganic Carbon Compounds
  • Methylenes
  • Organic Compounds
  • Photolysis
  • Space Environments

Readers

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space