This part of ISO 11358 specifies a method for the determination of the activation energy, E a, in the Arrhenius equation for the decomposition of polymers using a thermogravimetric technique. The method is applicable only if the reaction proceeds by a single mechanism. It is applicable to multistage reactions if they consist of clearly separated single-stage steps.
NOTE The term activation energy is more suited to describing the kinetics of gas-phase reactions. When chemical reactions start from the solid state as in this part of ISO 11358, this parameter is nevertheless used for practical purposes.