Photostabilizers performance on the surface analysis of green composites

Abstract

In this work, various stabilizers have been introduced to prevent or delay degradation due to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to prolong the service life of cotton fiber-reinforced composites. The effect of various additives like hindered amine light stabilizer, UV absorber (UVA), and antioxidant as photostabilizers of CF/low-density polyethylene (CF/LDPE) composites was compared. We showed how they influence to delay or eliminate the photodegradation of CF/LDPE subjected accelerated weathering. Surface analysis was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and color measurements. The results showed us the insight of the photodegradation mechanism of weathered CF/LDPE composites undergoing photooxidative reactions which causes a loss surface quality such as micro-cracking and color change. Among the stabilizers, UVA was found to be the most effective to delay some color changes in long term.