Kinetic and thermogravimetric analysis of the thermal oxidative degradation of flame‐retardant polyesters

Untreated and flame‐retarded poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics have been subjected to thermogravimetric analysis in air at several heating rates between 0.1°C/min and 100°C/min. The data have been analyzed using a variety of methods to obtain kinetic parameters for the sequential stages in the thermal degradation process. The data obtained reveal that the phosphorous‐only flame retardants do not significantly effect the degradation kinetics. The two bromine‐containing flame retardants, however, are capable of modifying the degradation kinetics, with the Dacron 900F material being responsible for a beneficial condensed‐phase effect while the TRIS‐treated sample is responsible for reduced activation energies and more rapid weight loss.