pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S13 - Injection Molding and Mold
Poster Presentation
 
 

Effects of environmental aging in polypropylene obtained by injection molding

Romano Rebeca Silva Grecco (1)*, Oliani Washington Luiz (1), Ferreto Helio Fernando Rodrigues (1), Parra Duclerc Fernandes (1), Lugao Ademar Benevolo (1)

(1) IPEN - SP - Brazil

UV light, environmental exposure, heat, ionizing radiation can interact with Polypropylene (PP) molecules, mainly tertiary carbon producing free radicals which can react with oxygen producing changes in its mechanical properties. PP has good chemical and mechanical properties, outstanding processability and at very low market price. In addition PP is extensively used for manufacturing various kinds of products, however due to its large scale consumption a lot of waste is generated at the end of their life cycle to the environment with low rate degradation. This study has the objective of comparing the environmental exposure of PP (spheres) neat and PP (spheres) irradiated with 20 kGy. Dumbbell samples were manufactured by injection molding and exposed to the environment during 90 days. Another one set was exposed to gamma irradiation at 20 kGy total dose and exposed at the same conditions. The samples were characterized by Mechanical Testing, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The dumbbell samples PP 20 kGy, after environmental aging, showed oxidation with presence of surface cracks more intensely than PP spheres neat.