What are the decomposition products of wood glues?
Frequently, people will ask about the decomposition of wood glues. This information is sometimes necessary for fire personnel or insurance agents. Critical factors in determining the decomposition of any compound are temperature and available oxygen supply. It should also be noted that cured glue will decompose differently than glue in the wet-state because of the available amount of water in a liquid adhesive. The water will first convert to steam before the polymer will be affected with glue in the wet state. In the dried state, the glue will decompose to the polymer and its constituents. Studies have shown that basic PVA wood glues can decompose at temperatures as low as 215 degrees Fahrenheit to produce quantitative yields of acetic acid, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The higher the temperature, the more likely the acetic acid is to convert to CO and CO2 and trace amounts of the polymer chain. Temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit can result in the complete combustion of
