Simultaneous UV or thermal exposure and IR detection of evolved vapours: new tool for studying polymer photo-degradation

A FTIR method with simultaneous UV and thermal exposure and analysis of the gases evolved from formulated polymer was developed. The method was applied to a study of formulated polymer compositions and degradation mechanisms. The new sample cell was used for four polymers: tetramethylpolycarbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer. Most of measurements of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and degradation products generated during the exposure were carried out in 90 or 320 min. It enabled to distinguish the oxidation level in the first hours of ageing of each polymer. The influence of UV intensity, temperature and atmosphere on polymer degradation was also studied.