Wavelength sensitivity of photooxidation of styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer

Abstract

The wavelength sensitivity of SBS exposed to filtered xenon arc radiation and sunlight was determined by the sharp cut filter technique based on the changes in IR absorption and mechanical properties. The spectral response curves of SBS exposed to both filtered xenon lamp and sunlight were similar. They showed that wavelength region, responsible for photooxidation of SBS, is in the range of approximately 290–380 nm. The wavelength sensitivity of polystyrene exposed to filtered xenon arc radiation was also determined and was different from that of SBS. It is suggested that the wavelength sensitivity of SBS is determined mainly by the polybutadiene component.