The oxidative degradation of stabilized LLDPE under accelerated and natural conditions

Abstract

AbstractPhotodegradation and loss of UV stabilizer resulting from natural and accelerated exposure in stabilized linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) are investigated by spectroscopic techniques. It is found that the processes governing the loss of UV stabilizer are quite different under the two modes of UV exposure. This result clearly demonstrates that predictions concerning polymer lifetime based on the disappearance of additives must be avoided. For a large number of stabilized samples, acceleration factors according to different criteria have been estimated. Examination of the natural photodegradation process of stabilized LLDPE through mechanical property changes establishes that stabilized LLDPE undergoes catastrophic breakdown of the elongation at break the instant the carbonyl IR band begins to develop.