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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Artificial Thermal Ageing of Polyester Reinforced and Polyvinyl Chloride Coated Technical Fabric
Published on: January 29, 2020
Evaluation of Changes in Polymer Material Properties Due to Aging in Different Environments
Ivana Salopek Čubrić1, Goran Čubrić2, Ines Katić Križmančić3
1Department of Textile Design and Management, Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
This study introduces a new polymer aging protocol for sports materials, revealing that sun exposure significantly reduces elongation and moisture absorption while increasing thickness. The chemical structure of polyester remained unchanged after aging.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Sports Engineering
Background:
- Growing demand for high-performance polymers in sports necessitates robust aging protocols.
- Existing aging protocols lack a product-centered approach for demanding applications.
- Understanding polymer degradation under various environmental conditions is crucial for sports equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, product-centered polymer aging protocol.
- To investigate the impact of aging on specific polymer properties relevant to sports applications.
- To analyze changes in topography, thickness, moisture management, elongation, and bursting force.
Main Methods:
- Development of a new polymer aging protocol.
- Exposure of polymer samples to different aging conditions (sun, shade).
- Assessment of physical properties: topography, thickness, moisture management, elongation, bursting force.
- Spectroscopic analysis using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Sun exposure led to increased polymer thickness.
- Material elongation capacity decreased significantly with sun exposure (R²=0.99).
- Bursting force reduced by up to 6.8% after aging.
- Polymer's moisture absorption capacity was significantly impaired.
- ATR-FTIR analysis showed no detectable changes in the chemical structure of polyester samples.
Conclusions:
- The new aging protocol effectively demonstrates property degradation in polymers for sports.
- Sun exposure is a critical factor affecting the mechanical performance and moisture management of sports polymers.
- While physical properties change, the core chemical structure of polyester remains stable under tested aging conditions.
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