A study on the photostabilizer additives on the textile fiber reinforced polymer composites: Mechanical, thermal, and physical analysis

The effect of photostabilizers on the mechanical, thermal, and physical properties of textile fiber reinforced polymer (T-FRP) composites was investigated. In the first phase of this study, the effect of different concentrations of ultra violet absorber (UVA), hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) and antioxidants (AOs) into T-FRP composites for unweathering condition are examined. Mechanical tests were performed as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis for thermal properties. According to test results, there is no significant effect of photostabilizers on the mechanical and thermal properties of the T-FRP composites. In the second phase of the study, the influence of the photostabilizers on the durability performance of T-FRP composites is focused under the accelerated UV weathering condition by the help of tensile testing, thermal analysis, and color measurements. According to test results, only about 5% loss in mechanical properties (25% loss for composites without additives) can be observed after 240 h of UV weathering with HALS and UVA addition at adequate concentrations. In addition, AOs can be considered as a strong stabilizer on physical properties with lower color change values. This work shows that the efficiency of the photostabilizers is highly dependent on the type, concentration, and weathering time. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1082–1090, 2018.