The effect of titan dioxide and benzophenone on photochemical degradation of low density polyethylene films

Abstract

Photochemical degradation ability of LDPE films has been investigated by the addition of titan dioxide (TiO₂) and benzophenone (BP). Masterbatchs base on LDPE mixed with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and photochemical additives have been synthesized by melt method, and the mixture has been exposed to sunlight in three months or UV light for 72 hours. The physico-chemical properties of masterbatchs have been characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA and mechanical testing. The result has shown that LDPE films containing 4.5 phr of EVA and 0.5 phr of photochemical additives (TiO₂/BP = 1/3 (wt.%)) is degraded at the highest rate under sunlight conditions.