Study of the influence of the ageing conditions in the durability of PVC formulations used in outdoor applications

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study intended to assess the durability of stabilized PVC-U for outdoor applications, in form of calendered films and extruded plates. The samples were subject to different ageing conditions and their degradation state were evaluated, using techniques of molecular analysis, namely Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well techniques for evaluation of macroscopic properties, as colorimetry and tensiles tests. The development of formulations, the ageing and the subsequent characterisation were done in LNEC. Therefore, after a brief introduction, this paper presents the experimental part of the study, as regards the composition of samples and the experimental methods of deterioration and characterisation. Subsequently, the results of the study, their interpretation and the final conclusions are also presented.