Investigation of the thermal degradation of polyacrylate adhesives by evolved gas analysis–(gas chromatography)–mass spectrometry

• Two degradation steps for adhesives 1 and 2 were found in EGA–MS.
• Evolved gases from each thermal zone were analyzed by EGA–GC/MS.
• Adhesive 2 is more thermo-stable than adhesive 1.
• In adhesive 1, the fumes caused by IBOA were evolved below 170 °C.
• This method may help to evaluation of thermal stability for the polyacrylates.

The thermal degradation behavior and the stability of polyacrylate adhesives were evaluated by evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA–MS) and evolved gas analysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (EGA–GC/MS). Thermal degradation processes of two steps for adhesives 1 and 2 were found from EGA–MS analysis, and the evolved gases from each thermal zone were analyzed by EGA–GC/MS. The degradation products and a residual monomer caused by isobornyl acrylate of adhesive 1 were evolved from 100 °C to 170 °C. These fumes are able to cause a failure of the optical transparency of double-sided ITO (Indium tin oxide) film throughout the ITO crystallization process. The thermal degradation of adhesive 2 occurred at a higher temperature of ca. 50 °C compared to adhesive 1. Consequently, adhesive 2 is more thermo-stable than adhesive 1.