ABSTRACT
Polymers often contain substances of medium volatility such as residual monomers, residual polymerization solvents, and expanding agents. In addition, when polymers are heated they may release volatiles as a result of the thermal degradation of either the polymers themselves or their additives or catalyst residues. Polymers often contain substances of medium volatility such as residual monomers, residual polymerization solvents, and expanding agents. Thermal conductivity cells of the hot-wire or thermistor type are suitable for the detection of inorganic volatiles, and a helium ionization detector could be used for analyzing trace amounts of permanent gases. The quantitative aspects of the technique itself were investigated by analyzing the volatiles liberated by heating polystyrene at 200°C and then reanalyzing the polymer as a solution in propylene oxide. After the volatiles have been adsorbed in its packed section, the trap tube is disconnected from the butyl rubber tube and moved to the chromatograph.
