Plastic cable ties made from 6,6-nylon are widely used in outdoor and industrial applications due to their strength and durability. However, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and environmental conditions can significantly reduce their mechanical performance. Traditional long-term weathering tests are time-consuming and often lack detailed chemical insight.
This technical note demonstrates how Evolved Gas Analysis–Mass Spectrometry (EGA-MS) provides a fast and effective method to evaluate the degradation of 6,6-nylon cable ties caused by indoor and outdoor exposure conditions.
[Background]
The mechanical strength of plastic cable ties is reduced when irradiated by UV light. The degradation is monitored using long-term weathering tests. This note illustrates how evolved gas analysis (EGA)-MS can be used to evaluate the degradation of 6,6-nylon cable ties caused by a prolonged exposure to indoor and outdoor environments.
[Experimental]
A Multi-Shot Pyrolyzer (EGA/PY-3030D) directly interfaced to the split injector of the GC was used for the EGA-MS analysis. The surface of each sample was scraped off using a cutter knife and the powder was placed in a sample cup. It was then heated in the pyrolyzer furnace in a programmed heating mode to obtain an EGA thermogram. Three types of cable ties with different weather and heat resistances were analyzed. Each of the sample types were exposed to either indoor (stored in a tightly closed container) or outdoor environments for two years and the degree of degradation was evaluated. Exterior appearance and 20 times magnified microscopic views of each sample are shown in Fig. 1.
[Results]
The EGA thermograms are shown in Fig. 2. The apex temperatures for indoor and outdoor exposures and the differences between them are noted on the thermograms. In every case, the differences in the apex temperature between indoor and outdoor exposures are more than 10ºC. The smallest difference in apex temperature (13ºC) was observed in sample No.3 which is both weather and heat resistant. This series of analysis clearly demonstrates that EGA-MS can be used to quickly, and easily identify changes caused by outdoor exposure (i.e., UV exposure) of plastic cable ties.
To learn more about how EGA-MS and the multi-shot micro-furnace pyrolyzer can be used to rapidly evaluate UV-induced degradation and weatherability of nylon and other polymer materials, simply connect with us.
References: This technical note was developed by Frontier Laboratories Ltd. 4-16-20 Saikon, Koriyama, Fukushima, 963-8862 JAPAN. www.frontier-lab.com