Polystyrene
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Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer made from monomers of the aromatic hydrocarbon styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and brittle. By weight, it is
Expanded polystyrene packaging
A polystyrene yogurt container
Bottom of a vacuum-formed cup; fine details such as the glass and fork food contact materials symbol and the resin identification code symbol are easily molded
Polystyrene is flammable, and releases large amounts of black smoke upon burning.
Pyrolysis
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Pyrolysis is a process involving the separation of covalent bonds in organic matter by thermal decomposition within an inert environment without oxygen.
Burning pieces of wood, showing various stages of pyrolysis, followed by oxidative combustion
Oak charcoal
Caramelized onions are slightly pyrolyzed.
This pizza is pyrolyzed, almost completely carbonized.