Hindered amine light stabilizers polymer weathering

Of the various chemical classes of UV stabilizers that have been developed, the benzophenone and benzotriazole UV absorbers, the hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), and their combinations continue to satisfy the UV stabilization requirements of most of the large-volume outdoor polymer applications. In addition, many new stabilizer chemistries, such as UV absorbers based on hydrox-yphenyl triazines, have been developed for more demanding applications or to satisfy specific market needs. Light stabilizers together with other additives (qv), such as antioxidants (qv), impact modifiers, colorants (qv), fillers, heat stabilizers (qv) and plasticizers (qv), have enhanced the properties and extended the service life of polymeric materials, resulting in the replacement of traditional materials in a multitude of outdoor weatherable applications. 

The number of studies in this area is limited, but a few have shown exposure of coatings to atmospheric contaminants to be detrimental. Sampers [35] reports that, in a study of polyolefin samples exposed both in Florida and on the Mediterranean coast of France, a dramatic difference was seen in polymer lifetime. Samples exposed on the Mediterranean had only half the life of those in Florida. The two stations had broadly similar weathering parameters the differences should have led to longer lifetimes in France. Sampers concluded that constituents in the rain or wind had chemically interacted with the hindered amine light stabilizers in the polymers exposed in France, causing these samples to be especially vulnerable to UV degradation. 

Kaci, M., Hebal, G., Benhamida, A., Boukerrou, A., Djidjelli, H., Sadoun, T. Kinetic study of hindered amine light stabilizer photografting in low density polyethylene films under natural weathering conditions. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 84, 1524-1532 (2002)... 

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