Synergism of hindered amine light stabilizers and UV-absorbers

The synergism of hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) and UV-absorbers is very important in the practical photo-stabilization of polymers. As very little is known, however, the relationship between the composition of the mixture of the two kinds of light stabilizer and its photo-stabilizing efficiency was investigated in four common polymers. A high level of synergism was observed in polypropylene, high density polyethylene and ABS resin. A moderate synergistic effect was obtained in polystyrene. The maximum efficiency was observed at mixing ratios of hindered amine light stabilizer to UV-absorber of about 75:25 in polypropylene and high density polyethylene, 90:10 in ABS resin and 80:20 in crystal polystyrene. The synergism is due to different stabilizing mechanisms of hindered amine light stabilizer and UV-absorber, and is explained by the diffusion of very effective hindered amine light stabilizer from the polymer bulk, which is protected by the UV-absorber, towards the surface layer where photo-oxidation proceeds.