DIRECT PYROLYSIS OF AROMATIC AND ALIPHATIC POLYESTERS IN THE MASS SPECTROMETER

Ester-Ester Exchange Reactions of Aliphatic Polyesters

Abstract The kinetics of ester-ester exchange reactions of poly(ethylene adipate) and poly(trimethylene adipate) at 312°C and in the absence of a solvent and catalysts has been reported previously. Independent investigations of the thermal degradation reactions of these polyesters under high vacuum have shown that pyrolysis already starts above 270°C. An ester-ester exchange mechanism via a reversible thermal degradation reaction is proposed.

Mass spectrometrical detection of polymer particles in capsule tissue surrounding joint endoprotheses of polyethyleneterephthalate

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry of synthetic high polymers is described. The method is used to detect polymer wear particles in capsule tissue surrounding endoprotheses with polyethyleneterephthalate parts. An approximation of semi-quantitative determination of the polymer wear will be discussed.

Detection of poly(methylmethacrylate) wear particles in capsule tissue surrounding endoprotheses by pyrolysis gas chromatography

Pyrolysis gas chromatography (PGC) is used to detect polymer wear particles in capsule tissue surrounding endoprotheses implanted with poly(methylmethacrylate) as bone cement. The method allows the detection of the polymer incorporated in tissue even in the range of 1 weight%.