The effects of zirconia (ZrO2), yttria (Y2O(3)), and nickel (Ni) on poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) thermal degradation were evaluated using kinetic analysis of TGA data and nonlinear heating rates. An exact solution derived from the Arrhenius equation in an integration form was used for the kinetic analysis. The kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation reaction were determined utilizing the solution and the isoconversional principle., Results show that the reaction pathway of the PVB thermal degradation was altered by the presence of these inorganic materials except ZrO2. The strong catalytic effects Of Y2O3, and Ni on the PVB degradation were found and discussed according to the analytical results. The reaction rate was accelerated faster in lower temperatures in the presence Of Y2O3, and Ni. The degradation period of the PVB/Ni sample appeared the shortest for these cases. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.