Weathering Induced Degradation of PVC-Based Capstock Formulations

摘要

The degradation of three PVC capstock formulations, a stabilized PVC, a PVC/acrylic blend, and a PVC/ASA blend, were monitored during outdoor exposure in Florida. Chemical degradation of the surface was monitored using FTIR spectroscopy, and physical degradation was monitored using scanning electron microscopy. As expected, the stabilized PVC degraded most rapidly, quickly showing signs of both chemical and physical degradation. Qualitatively, the PVC/ASA blend showed similar behavior, although at a slower rate. The PVC/acrylic blend displayed the least amount of physical degradation, and, interestingly, no observable chemical degradation.