Rheological Characteristics of Thermoplastic Polymers after Degradation

Abstract

Selected rheological properties of thermoplastic polymer materials before and after exposure in different environments were evaluated by Frequency sweep test, which monitors changes in viscoelastic properties of polymers with respect to their molecular structure and their behavior in thermoplastic processes. Samples of tested material were subjected in UV radiation, moist soil with higher concentration of chlorides and solution of n-hexane for exact period. Degradation process resulted in changes of complex dynamic viscosity, storage and loss modulus, changes in molar mass and its distribution.