Ultraviolet Oxidation and Outdoor Exposure of Polyethyleneterephthalate Film

Abstract

Accelerated photodegradation of polyethyleneterephthalate (PETP) film have been studied by a weatherometer or by outdoor exposure.
In these degraded samples, the changes in their tensile strength and elongation when irradiated by weatherometer were very slow, while the changes under outdoor exposure were remarkable, especially in summer season.
From the result of measurement of infrared absorption spectrum, melt flow rate, density and accelerated ultraviolet irradiation using various light sources, it was concluded that PETP film is oxidized with random scission of main chain by the short wave length ultraviolet irradiation.