Ultrasonic degradation of butadiene, styrene and their copolymers

Ultrasonic degradation of commercially important polymers, styrene–butadiene (SBR) rubber, acrylonitrile–butadiene (NBR) rubber, styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN), polybutadiene rubber and polystyrene were investigated. The molecular weight distributions were measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). A model based on continuous distribution kinetics approach was used to study the time evolution of molecular weight distribution for these polymers during degradation. The effect of solvent properties and ultrasound intensity on the degradation of SBR rubber was investigated using different pure solvents and mixed solvents of varying volatility and different ultrasonic intensities.

► Ultrasonic degradation of SBR, NBR and SAN was studied.
► Degradation rate coefficients were determined.
► The effect of solvent properties and ultrasound intensity was investigated.
► Vapor pressure and kinematic viscosity of solvent influenced the degradation.