Effect of Pro-degradant Additives Concentration on Aging Properties of Polypropylene Films

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the effect of pro-degradant (PDA) additives on degradation behaviour of polypropylene (PP) films. Thin films (0.12 mm) containing this additives was prepared by sheeting process. The effect of natural exposure (NE) and heating of PP films in the presence or absence of additives were investigated. The apparent density value of PP film contained PDA are proportionate with PDA concentration. Meanwhile melt flow index (MFI) decreased as PDA concentration increased. Changes in tensile properties and carbonyl index (CI) were used to investigate the degradation behavior of the films. The results indicate that the presence of PDA contributes to the degradation and the activity is proportional to the amount of PDA. All samples were found to be more susceptible to thermo-oxidation than to natural exposure. Keywords: Degradable polypropyleneNatural exposurePPPro-degradant additivesThermo-oxidative aging ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are thankful to USM for funding this project (Grant no: 6035283) and all the technicians in SMMRE USM for their assistance, supports and guidance that had contributed towards the success and completion of the project.