Study of the influence of stabilizers, metals, and peroxides on the thermo‐oxidative degradation of poly(oxy‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene)

Abstract The authors have studied the influence of some stabilizers, trace amounts of cupric and ferric compounds, and peroxides on the thermo‐oxidative degradation of poly(oxy‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene). It was found that phenolic antioxidants, didodecyl 3,3′‐thiodipropionate, and phosphorous acid esters do not exhibit a stabilizing effect. 2‐Benzimidazolethiol, 2‐benzothiazolethiol, and hexamethylphosphoric triamide were found to be retardation agents. Based on these results a mechanism of the degradation process is proposed.