Thermal degradation of polymer mixtures. I. Degradation of polystyrene–poly(methyl methacrylate) mixtures and a comparison with the degradation of styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymers

The degradation behavior of mixtures of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) in the form of thin films cast from a solution containing both polymers has been compared with that of the individual polymers and of copolymers of the same monomer pair by means of thermal volatilization analysis (TVA) together with product analysis by gas‐liquid chromatography determinations of the molecular weight of the solid polymer residues. The results indicate no interaction between the polymers when degraded together. The polymer mixtures are readily distinguished from copolymers of the same overall composition by TVA.