Photodegradation and photostabilization of the polymeric blends and composites

• Grant number: 05/00322-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2005
• End date: April 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Grantee: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia (EE). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 06/02353-4 - Training and improve on use of the characterization, processing and photodegradation equipments of the polymers, BP.TT; 06/00501-6 - Photodegradation study of polystyrene/montmorillonite clay nanocomposite, BP.IC

Abstract

Polymeric materials submitted to UV radiation undergo some chemical reactions, which lead to degradation. It is known that, in some application of these materials, it is not desired that they degrade very quickly; however, in other ones, a quicker photodegradation mechanism may be needed. In both situations is necessary knowledge about their photodegradation mechanism, through which one can foresee the shelf life of theses materials. Nowadays, due to high cost for building new industrial plant for production of news polymers, blend and composite technologies are preferred. It's cheaper than to produce new polymers for specific applications. The photodegradation mechanism of most polymers is well known, however, polymeric blends and composites still have few studies concerning them. This work intends to investigate and explain the photodegradation mechanism of some polymeric blends and composites by UV irradiation (natural and artificial exposition). If necessary, could be done a study of the photostabilization of these materials. The samples will be exposed for various irradiation intervals, and their properties like the mechanical, thermal and chemical ones, as well as chemical modifications, molecular weight, etc will be monitored. (AU)