Lifetime prediction for polymer materials using OIT measurements by the DSC method

The standard procedure of OIT measurements by DSC method was applied for prediction of lifetime of polymer materials. Investigations of unmodified and modified, i.e. grafted and filled PE-LLD have been described, as an example. OIT values were measured in the temperature range (in general) from 180 to 240 degrees C, then the activation energy and the lifetime values were calculated. The following sequence of increasing thermal stability and increasing lifetime values has been found PE-LLD grafted < PE-LLD unmodified < PE-LLD filled compositions. The described approach can be recommended for the lifetime prediction of other polymer materials, in particular those susceptible to the thermooxidative degradation.