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Surface Chalking upon Weathering of Dark-Colored PVC Articles and Relevant Stabilizers
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Researchers investigated how dark-colored PVC articles degrade when exposed to outdoor weathering, focusing on the surface chalking process that releases particles into the environment. The study examined various stabilizer additives and their ability to extend the durability of PVC products against UV and weather damage. Evidence indicates that improving PVC weatherability through better stabilizers can reduce the release of microplastic particles from outdoor plastic items.
PVC items (38% carbon atoms w/w) are environmentally friendly as, unlike polyolefins (86% carbon atoms w/w), they are mainly based on chlorine, one of the most abundant elements on Earth and, so, less based on fossil resources. However, in the eco-design context, articles' durability plays a crucial role, contributing to the enhancement of their sustainability. In this framework, the research on additives capable of increasing the weatherability of outdoor articles is essential. The theory section of the paper reviews the mechanisms of weathering that lead to PVC degradation and undermine the durability of items such as window frames or roller shutters. The weathering of PVC items is a complex phenomenon, involving photo-chemical and secondary chemical reactions, that yields the formation of conjugated polyene sequences underskin in the absence of oxygen and carbonyls in the surface. Here, the chain scission of the polymer backbone occurs, bringing about the disintegration of the surface of the item and causing the typical discoloration called chalking, especially evident in dark-colored articles. In the experimental section of the paper, the effect of different acid scavengers on item weathering has been studied using a natural outdoor and two accelerated exposures with xenon-arc and Q-UV testing devices. Results confirm that some acid scavengers are efficient in preventing chalking, but some are ineffective or even detrimental. Thus, the PVC formulations of durable articles upon weathering still depend on a complex choice of the appropriate ingredients, and several outdoor and indoor accelerated-weathering tests are needed to predict the articles' lifetime.
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Surface Chalking upon Weathering of Dark-Colored PVC Articles and Relevant Stabilizers
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Researchers studied how different chemical stabilizers affect the weathering and surface discoloration of dark-colored PVC products exposed to outdoor conditions. They found that certain acid scavengers were effective at preventing the chalking effect caused by UV degradation, while others actually made it worse. The study provides practical guidance for making PVC products like window frames and shutters more durable and longer-lasting.
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