The effects of tensile stress and the agrochemical Vapam on the ageing of low density polyethylene (LDPE) agricultural films. Part I. Mechanical behaviour

The effect of tensile stress and of a drastic agrochemical (Vapam) on the ageing of low density polyethylene (LDPE) greenhouse films is presented. The synergistic effect of these two critical ageing factors with UV radiation and temperature on the ageing of selected LDPE films was investigated under artificial ageing conditions. The LDPE used in the present work was non-stabilised in order to investigate the basic characteristics of ageing in a very short period. The ageing was monitored through the changes of selected mechanical properties of the polyethylene film before and after ageing. A modified artificial ageing procedure is proposed, considered to simulate in a more realistic way the weathering of LDPE greenhouse films.