Abstract
Photo-oxidative reactions make a major contribution in reducing the lifetime of polymers. These reactions play a detrimental role in the decay of useful physical and chemical properties of polymers. In addition, high ultraviolet radiation, increased temperature and high humidity accelerate the degradation phenomenon in polymers. Natural weathering trials were conducted on samples of low density polyethylene greenhouse film in the harsh environment of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Greenhouse film with a thickness of 180μ based on low density polyethylene and stabilized with hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) and Ni-quencher was selected for this study. Samples were withdrawn monthly for a period of three years and the extent of the degradation was monitored by using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Mechanical Testing, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 253-268 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Polymer Engineering |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1995 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors wish to thank King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for the financial support of the Research Project No. KACST AR-10-052 and the support provided by the Research Institute for using their facilities.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemical Engineering
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry