Degradation of Polyolefin Blends Used for Ceramic Injection Molding

The degradation mechanisms of four polyolefins of differing molecular weight were studied by thermogravimetric analysis in order to identify the material properties which facilitate the extraction of ceramic injection molding vehicles. Three weight‐loss processes were identified and the corresponding activation energies were calculated. Low‐molecular‐weight vehicles were lost entirely by evaporation while higher‐molecular‐weight polymers underwent thermal degradation followed by evaporation of degration products. In oxidizing atmosphere the influence of oxidative degradation was confined to the surface region of moldings. It is shown that the summation of individual thermograms gives guidance on the likely weight loss behavior of blends.