This book addresses the effect of a variety of environmental factors — including UV radiation, temperature, humidity, rain, stress, and concentration of reactive pollutants — on the photochemical degradation rate of various plastic materials. It provides details on test procedures, and contains many tips on sample preparation and post-exposure testing which allows shorter testing times and measurement of the acceleration of aging. The book contains data obtained in laboratories of leading manufacturers of UV stabilizers and chemical companies manufacturing durable materials.

From the Preface: “...In spite of the efforts of research groups, standardization organizations and industry, there is much to be done to bring weathering testing to the level that will allow the results to predict the life of the materials. There must be a willingness among the involved parties to cooperate and a comprehensive body of information to support their efforts. This book is a contribution to the information base to assist the scientific efforts aimed at improving the knowledge of weathering...”

Target Audience: Any technologist or researcher concerned with the weathering of plastics.

Table of Contents:

Basic Parameters in Weathering Studies

Choices in the Design of Outdoor Weathering Tests

A Comparison of New and Established Accelerated Weathering Devices in Aging Studies of Polymeric Materials at Elevated Irradiance and Temperature

Current Status of Light and Weather Fastness Standards, New Equipment Technologies, Operating Procedures and Application of Standard Reference Materials

Weatherability of Vinyl and Other Plastics

Aging Conditions' Effect on UV Durability

Molecular Weight Loss and Chemical Changes in Copolyester Sheeting with Outdoor Exposure

Fourier Transform Infrared Micro Spectroscopy

Effects of Water Spray and Irradiance Level on Changes in Copolyester Sheeting with Xenon Arc Exposure

Hot Water Resistance of Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

Surface Temperatures and Temperature Measurement Techniques on the Level of Exposed Samples During Irradiation/Weathering in Equipment

Infrared Welding of Thermoplastics: Characterization of Transmission Behavior of Eleven Thermoplastics

Infrared Welding of Thermoplastics: Colored Pigments and Carbon Black Levels on Transmission of Infrared Radiation

Predicting Maximum Field Service Temperatures from Solar Reflectance Measurements of Vinyl

Residual Stress Development in Marine Coatings Under Simulated Service Conditions

Balancing the Color and Physical Property Retention of Polyolefins Through the Use of High Performance Stabilizer Systems

Activation Energies of Polymer Degradation

Failure Progression and Mechanisms of Irradiated Polypropylenes and Other Medical Polymers

Chemical Assessment of Automotive Clearcoat Weathering

Effect of Aging on Mineral-Filled Nanocomposites

The Influence of Degraded, Recycled PP on Incompatible Blends

Interactions of Hindered Amine Stabilizers in Acidic and Alkaline Environments

Interactions of Pesticides and Stabilizers in PE Films for Agricultural Use

The Influence of Co-Additive Interactions on Stabilizer Performance

New High Performance Light Stabilizer Systems for Molded-in Color TPOs: An Update

Stabilization of Polyolefins by Photoreactive Light Stabilizers

Effect of Stabilizer on Photo-Degradation Depth Profile

New Light Stabilizer for Coextruded Polycarbonate Sheet

Ultraviolet Light Resistance of Vinyl Miniblinds: Reaction Products Formed by Lead in Air

Case Studies of Inadvertent Interactions Between Polymers and Devices in Field Applications

Automotive Clearcoats

Index