Detection of Thermoplastic Degradation

Abstract

The degradation of HDPE was studied by exposing HDPE to weathering. The HDPE were prepared at Adeb Plastic Factory in Omdurman. Four types of HDPE were use in this study:  Virgin HDPE.  50/50 mixture of recycle and virgin HDPE.  Virgin HDPE containing stabilizers.  Recycle HDPE containing stabilizers. The ageing performance was predicting use melt flow index (MFI) ,oxidation induction time (OIT) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results clearly revealed the deterioration of virgin and recycled HDPE is much higher than the other two types containing stabilizers under the outdoor conditions of Khartoum. Where a significant drop in the mechanical and thermal properties were observed for exposed HDPE formulations (not containing stabilizers ) in terms of increase in the percent crystallinity. The incorporation of stabilizers provides a good protective system to the polymer.