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Total luminescence intensity as a tool to classify degradable polyethylene films by early degradation detection and
Lina Ragnarsson1, Ann-Christine Albertsson
1Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Total luminescence intensity (TLI) was shown to be a valuable tool to monitor early degradation and thereby classify degradable polyethylene. The photo oxidation and thermal oxidation of polyethylene films containing different prooxidant systems were monitored. The chemiluminescence results were compared with results from FTIR, DSC, and SEC measurements. TLI gave an earlier detection of degradation and offered complementary information regarding changes in activation energies during the course of the degradation. TLI measurements were more sensitive to relative differences in degradation between the materials than the carbonyl index and crystallinity measurements, especially in the case of the UV-aged samples.