Ultraviolet Oxidative Stabilization Effect of the Rare Earth Compound on Polyamide

Abstract

Rare earth compounds, including rare earth stearate (RESt) and rare earth epoxydised fatty acid (REEFA), were applied for the purpose of further improving the ultraviolet-oxidative stability of polyamide (PA6). The results showed that the rare earth compounds can inhibit the increase of the gel concentration and the reduced viscosity, the formation and the increase of the carboxylic group concentration, and the decrease of the terminal amine group concentration on the molecular chain of PA6, and delay the decrease of the mechanical properties of PA6 during the UV aging. The sample of PA6 with the rare earth compounds had higher absorbance and lower transmittance of ultraviolet band compared with pure PA6, indicating that the rare earth compounds can protect PA6 from ultraviolet degradation.

Keywords:

• Polyamide (PA6)
• Rare earth compound
• Ultraviolet irradiation
• Ultraviolet-oxidative stabilization

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by Key Natural Science Fund of China (50533080).