Outdoor ageing of ethylene-carbon monoxide alternating copolymer

The outdoor ageing of ethylene-carbon monoxide alternating copolymer films, has been investigated by thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and scann ing electron microscopy (SEM). Samples exposed to the sun light, in open ai r, for times ranging from 0 to 480 h have been investigated. After 480 h of exposure polymer films break spontaneously, Infrared spectroscopy indicate s that the degradation takes place with formation of new chemical species t hat contain ether linkages. Moreover thermal measurements clearly indicate that an etherogeneous system is formed as a consequence of degradation. Bot h infrared and SEM evidence indicates that the photodegradation process is confined to a thin layer near the exposed surface of the samples. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.