Poly(phenyl acrylate) and Poly(p-methylphenyl acrylate) as photo-stabilizers II. Protection of PET against photo-oxidation

Abstract

Poly(phenyl acrylate) (PPA) and poly(p-methylphenyl acrylate) (PMPA) were used as inherent photo-stabilizers for PET. PPA/ PET and PMPA/PET in weight ratios of 0/100, 5/95, 10/90, 20/80 and 100/0 were blended. These blends were then cast into films and drawn into fibres and were irradiated with an accelerated weathering tester (QUV). Functional group changes in the films during irradation were monitored with FTIR and the absorbance changes for different samples were compared with one another. Tensile strength of fibres after 42 days of irradiation were tested. Experimental results revealed that when 5% of PPA or PMPA was incorporated into PET, good stabilization of the film and fibres were observed, with PMPA exhibiting more photo-stabilization capability and better retention of tensile strength after 42 days of accelerated aging. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.