| Abstract: | The kinetics of the natural and accelerated photo-oxidation of low-denisty polyethylene (LDPE) films have been studied; different geographical locations have been selected for the natural tests, and a range of temperatures used in the accelerated experiments in a specially built temperature-controlled ultraviolet radiation enclosure. A meaningful correlation between natural and accelerated weathering results was established, by means of an adequate superposition of the effects of UV radiation exposure and temperature. Reasonably detailed and accurate, lumped-parameter, kinetic models of the photo-oxidation process have also been developed, to interpret and predict the results of measurements of carbonyl, hydroperoxide and vinyl absorbances as functions of time and temperature; the models predict the general experimental behaviour, and also that both the formation of hydroperoxides and carbonyl Norrish-I reactions are important initiation steps. More complex models have the potential of interpreting other fine details of the degradation behaviour, namely the generation of other chemical species, and the chain scission and cross-linking process which are directly related to changes in the mechanical properties. |
