Polyethylene Random chain rupture (involves random fragmentation of polymer
along polymer length, results in both monomers and oligomers)
Waxes, paraffin oil, a-olefins Gases and light oils
Polypropylene Random chain rupture Vaseline, olefins Gases and light oils
Polyvinyl chloride Chain-stripping (Side chain reactions involving substituents on the
polymer chain i.e. elimination of reactive substitutes or side groups
(HCl) on the polymer chain, chain dehydrogenation and cyclization)
HCl (300 8C)
Polystyrene Combination of unzipping and chain rupture, forming oligomers Styrene and its oligomers Styrene and its oligomers
Polymethyl methacralate Unzipping (Cracking is targeted at chain ends first, and then
successively proceeds down the polymeric length, results in
monomer formation)
Monomer Methyl methacralate Less Methyl methacralate,
More decomposition
Polytetrafluoro ethylene Unzipping Monomer tetrafluoro ethylene
Polyethylene terephthalate b-Hydrogen transfer, rearrangement and decarboxylation Benzoic acid and vinyl terephthalate
Polyamide 6 Unzipping Caprolactum