Activation energy for urethane‐linkage formation. An improved calculation from the differential scanning calorimetry data

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been utilized in several studies on polymerization kinetics, at different heating rates. However, there are several factors affecting the precision of kinetic parameters. In this work, the activation energy of urethane‐bond formation between 2,6‐tolylene diisocyanate and diethylene glycol is reported, the latter being in excess in order to minimize problems such as thermal transitions and incomplete reaction in the final step. The DSC technique was applied at different heating rates. Both the equal conversion and equal conversion rate options of the method are discussed. The latter appears to be a more adequate option for the system studied here. The results obtained show a good agreement with the model used.