Artificial accelerated weathering of poly(vinyl chloride) for outdoor applications: the evolution of the mechanical and molecular properties

We have performed artificial accelerated ageing in xenon light and a natural exposure in Lisbon (hot, Mediterranean climate), using four different types of TiO2 pigmented PVC formulations, containing various other additives. The experimental results obtained permit us to compare the performance of the additives present in the different formulations and give us information about the sensitivity of each analytical technique used to evaluate the effects of degradation in the PVC samples, originated by the weathering from light, referred to previously. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.