Seminar:
Degradation of polymers

This presentation will take a starting point in polymer degradation and the primary mechanisms of degradation. For different polymer systems, there are very different mechanisms and these govern the possibilities for recycling and the possibilities of repairing damage to the polymer backbone during recycling. Through examples of different plastics investigated directly after processing or after a life-cycle, the presentation will conclude with an evaluation of the potentials and the critical factors for these systems.

At LEGO, we aim for our bricks to last for generations, allowing parents to pass down their childhood bricks to their children. To ensure this longevity, we must preserve the initially designed functionality of LEGO bricks. A key feature of LEGO bricks is their ability to be attached and detached repeatedly. To support this, we study material behavior under constant stress and strain. In addition, the principle of time-temperature superposition is applied to test the stability of newly designed bricks.

This presentation will introduce participants to LEGO’s methods for ensuring the functional longevity of LEGO bricks.

This presentation will explore how polymer degradation is approached and managed within a plastic recycling facility. We will discuss how degradation can impact the quality of our plastic and potential challenges related to meeting customer specifications. We will explore key degradation mechanisms and their impact on material properties.
Strategies to reduce degradation during processing, including optimization techniques and stabilization measures, will also be discussed, highlighting our efforts to ensure consistent product quality and performance.

This presentation shares the experiences of IPU on polymer degradation, caused by sanitization processes such as UVC irradiation, cleaning agents/detergents, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) processes. Through real-world examples, we will explore how these methods impact polymer durability and performance. The presentation will highlight the combined effects of these sanitization techniques and the influences from what is not in the product datasheet, such as fillers, additives, and pigments on degradation mechanisms. The examples are based on critical applications, ex. maintaining material integrity in aseptic cleanroom environments

PA6.6-GF30 is the “state of the Art” material for use in pump housings for boilers and heat pumps. However, PA degrades in contact with hot water, so it is important to know the rate of degradation for a specific material under a given temperature profile.

The degradation model previously used by Grundfos took four years to develop. However, with the increased demand for agility in global markets, it is not realistic to use that long time to evaluate a potential new material. Over the past two years, we have been working on a new approach to evaluate the lifetime of a material with only 1.000 h of testing.

Polyethylene (PE) has been the most used pipe material for drinking water systems in Denmark since the 1980’s. Recently, various organic compounds have been found to migrate from plastic pipes to drinking water. When new PE pipes are installed in the drinking water system, a biofilm starts developing on the inner pipe surface. In the initial stages of biofilm formation, the organics leaching from the PE pipes may affect the composition of the biofilm and negatively impact the microbiological water quality.
On the positive side, this suggests that microorganisms can grow on and degrade the organic substances, reducing consumer’s exposure.
Gaining a deeper understanding of how biofilms form on newly commissioned PE pipes can help improve commissioning procedures for water utilities.

At Polytech we aim to make wind the preferred source of energy by improving the durability and performance of wind turbines. This is targeted by adding solutions that last a lifetime. BUT wind turbines all over the world are exposed to weathering and amongst other UV radiation – regardless of whether they are installed in a cold or warm climate. It is therefore key to understand how UV radiation degrade our materials both within controlled settings and the correlation to real-life environments. Furthermore, it is critical to understand which material properties are influenced by this and how to measure it. The learnings will allow material developers to better understand how different material choices will affect the lifetime of future material.