Multilayers Polyethylene Film for Crop Protection in Harsh Climatic Conditions

A Dehbi,C Chappey,B Youssef,P Picuno,A.-H I Mourad,D Statuto

doi:10.1155/2017/4205862

Abstract

In this work the performance and durability of a new generation of greenhouse covers, in which the cover is composed of five layers, are investigated. A sand wind ageing was performed under different exposure conditions. Surface morphology and chemical, physical, and thermal characteristics were investigated by using optical microscopy, FTIR, and tensile test techniques. In addition, the mechanical integrity of the five-layer film was assessed. The analysis indicated that the sand wind treatments have a significant influence only on the performance of the film. An attempt has been done to compare the properties of the five-layer film with the monolayer and trilayer films with or without air bubble under similar conditions. The results revealed that the five-layer film proved to be a promising greenhouse covering film.

Highlights

The growing use of plastics in agriculture results in increased yield, earlier or delayed harvest, less reliance on herbicides and pesticides, better protection of food products, and more efficient water conservation [1,2,3]
The results revealed that the five-layer film proved to be a promising greenhouse covering film
The effect of sand wind on the five-layer film surface is negligible compared to the trilayer film

Summary

Introduction

The growing use of plastics in agriculture results in increased yield, earlier or delayed harvest, less reliance on herbicides and pesticides, better protection of food products, and more efficient water conservation [1,2,3]. The specific working conditions, that is, climatic parameters (air temperature, solar radiation, humidity, temperature of the contacting metallic frame, etc.) as well as other local actions (e.g., mechanical constraints, sand wind, contact with agrochemicals and pesticides, etc.), could considerably modify some important technical properties like mechanical strength, radiometric properties, and gas permeability of the exposed plastic films [23,24,25] These effects promote the degradation of the polymeric film in its environment, resulting in an important residual pollution [18, 26, 27]

Methods

Results

Conclusion