FN Archimer Export Format
PT J
TI Impact of hydrolytic degradation on mechanical properties of PET - Towards an understanding of microplastics formation
BT 
AF Arhant, Mael
   LE GALL, Maelenn
   Le Gac, Pierre Yves
   Davies, Peter
AS 1:1;2:1;3:1;4:1;
FF 1:PDG-REM-RDT-LCSM;2:PDG-REM-RDT-LCSM;3:PDG-REM-RDT-LCSM;4:PDG-REM-RDT-LCSM;
C1 IFREMER, Marine Structures Laboratory, Centre de Bretagne, F-29280, France
C2 IFREMER, FRANCE
SI BREST
SE PDG-REM-RDT-LCSM
IN WOS Ifremer UPR
IF 4.032
TC 83
UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00476/58794/61331.pdf
LA English
DT Article
DE ;Hydrolysis;Polyethylene terephthalate;Mechanical properties;Molar mass;Embrittlement;Microplastics
AB Ocean pollution by microplastics, i.e. small pieces of plastic of less than 5 mm, is one of the major concerns for the future of our planet. Secondary microplastics formation is due to fragmentation of macroplastic waste. This fragmentation can be attributed to environmental loadings such as waves, winds and tides, coupled with a change in mechanical properties of polymers induced by UV and seawater ageing. This study aims to characterize and understand changes in the mechanical behaviour of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) induced by hydrolysis, especially for high degradation levels. Thin films (200 microns) of PET were aged in water at temperatures from 110 °C to 80 °C for up to 150 days. Embrittlement occurs with chain scission during hydrolysis when molar mass of the polymer falls below 17 kg/mol. When the polymer is brittle, i.e. for high levels of degradation, the stress at break decreases linearly with the molar mass, and can be described by a simple mathematical expression. 
PY 2019
PD MAR
SO Polymer Degradation And Stability
SN 0141-3910
PU Elsevier BV
VL 161
UT 000462691200020
BP 175
EP 182
DI 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2019.01.021
ID 58794
ER

EF