Comparative study of degradation of PP modifedwith an organic pro-degradant subjected to naturaland artifcial ageing

In abiotic degradation the action of light radiation is one of the most important parameters, because polymers undergo degradation due to the action of light (natural or artifcial). The aim of this study was to investigate thedegradation rate for samples of polypropylene (PP) modifed with an organic pro-degradant submitted to ageingin a natural environment and to accelerated ageing test. The degradation behavior of the samples exposed to theageing processes was evaluated through changes in the degree of crystallinity (Xc), surface morphology (ScanningElectron Microscopy) and molecular weight. The results indicated that for the modifed polypropylene samplesnatural ageing led to a 42.3% reduction in the molecular weight and the surface morphology showed evidenceof erosion. In the accelerated ageing process the UV radiation was stronger, which led to a 94.3% increase in thedegree of crystallinity and micro-voids were present on the surface of the modifed polypropylene. Polyolefns J(2016) 3: 93-101