RT Journal Article T1 Photodegradation characterization and heterogeneity evaluation of the exposed and unexposed faces of stabilized and unstabilized LDPE films A1 Babaghayou, Meriam Imane A1 Mourad, Abdel-Hamid I. A1 Lorenzo Esteban, Vicente A1 Orden Hernández, María Ulagares de la A1 Martínez Urreaga, Joaquín A1 Chabira, Salem Fouad A1 Sebaa, Mohamed AB The impact of climatic ageing on the characteristics of both unexposed and exposed faces of unstabilized and stabilized LDPE films was investigated. The effects on chemical and mechanical properties and on the heterogeneity in the films properties were discussed. The exposure periods were 8 and 21 months for the unstabilized and stabilized films, respectively. The ATR-FTIR spectra detected initial presence of vinylidene groups that disappeared after 4 months of weathering for both faces of the unstabilized films and disappeared earlier for stabilized films. It identifies also a progressive evolution of other photooxidation products, i.e. vinyl and carbonyl groups. The stabilized film demonstrated much better mechanical stability. Considerable reduction in the tensile toughness of unstabilized film was observed. The unstabilized film became quite fragile after 6 months of exposure to sunlight to the extent it cannot be tested, while the stabilized film was exposed up to 21 months exhibiting much higher durability. The microhardness MH measurements show increasing trend with weathering time and the impact on the exposed face of the unstabilized film was more severe. The ageing resulted in heterogeneity in the films properties and the MH and ATR-FTIR techniques could be used to evaluate its level. PB Elsevier SN 0264-1275 YR 2016 FD 2016 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/23390 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/23390 LA eng NO Received 19 June 2016, Revised 12 August 2016, Accepted 24 August 2016, Available online 29 August 2016. DS Docta Complutense RD 30 abr 2024