Simulation of thermal decomposition of a polymer at random scissions of C-C bonds

A mathematical formulation of the polymer thermal decomposition model at random scissions of C-C bonds in the backbone is presented. The model is based on ideas about a macrokinetic character of the observed process Polymer → Gaseous products , and the thermofluctuation nature of the bond scission. The suggested approach makes it possible to calculate the decomposition rate in a wide pressure range at any initial molecular weight distribution of the polymer. As an example, a comparison of the calculation results for temperature-time dependences of the conversion degree and decomposition rate with experimental data obtained in isothermal and non-isothermal regimes is performed for linear polyethylene.