Photo-oxidation of polypropylene under load

Abstract We have studied the photo-oxidation of isotactic polypropylene films under mechanical load. These films were either slightly or highly oriented, with or without photoprotecting agents. The oxidation reactions were followed by carbonyl index determinations from IR spectra. The results indicate that the oxidation rate can be related to mechanical load, polymer morphology and the intensity of the light source. In the earlier stages of the photo-oxidation, the static load can act as a protector against oxidation, in a similar manner to that observed with highly oriented samples.