This work aims to study the thermal degradation and combustion behavior of single-use masks commonly used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden increase in plastic waste underlines the crucial need for a proper disposal method. Therefore, to develop a suitable method of thermal disposal, it is first necessary to identify the primary waste materials and then study their thermal and flammability behaviors using thermal analysis methods. This research focuses on the characterization of individual parts of the masks, their thermal degradation, and pyrolysis processes via FTIR, TG, and MCC analyses. FTIR analysis indicated that all three masks were made out of polypropylene sheets, while two of the ear straps contained polyamide 6. One of the samples was composed mainly of poly (ethylene terephthalate) fiber and thin inner EPDM rubber. The EPDM ear strap left the highest residue and showed the lowest flammability among all samples. The analysis of heat of combustion and thermogravimetry shows that the most heat is generated above 450 °C. Therefore, for the disposal of single-use masks to be effective, it should be carried out in the temperature range from 450 to 750 °C.
Keywords: COVID-19; disposable plastic waste; face mask; pyrolysis; thermal degradation.