Stabilisers in a Plastics Compound

In common with other polymer systems, to maintain the physical properties of a plastic compound stabilisers need to be added to stop, or at least retard, degradation by a number of agencies (e.g., heat and UV light). 

If the type of organic antidegradant in a compound is completely unknown, analysis of the solvent extract by GC-MS or LC-MS is an excellent method for identification. Once the identification has been achieved, a quantification can be carried out using a preferred method and a validated procedure if available. 

Where the antidegradant is not volatile enough to be identified using a GC based technique, direct probe mass spectrometry or LC-MS can be used and the 

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