Stability of Polypropylene Blends Under the Effect of Thermal and UV Degradation

ABSTRACT Polypropylene has been blended with ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and their combinations. The obtained films have been subjected to thermal and UV weathering. The relative change in the carbonyl index as a result of thermal and UV aging has been determined by using FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, the thermal behavior of these blends has been followed up by using thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, sol–gel analysis of the films before and after aging has been conducted in p-xylene and correlated with the extent of oxidation. The effects of different factors, such as blend composition, addition of UV stabilizer, and mixing and blending method on the aging characteristics, have been studied.