The Evaluation of Simulated Environmental Degradation of Polycarbonate Filled with Inorganic and Organic Reinforcements

Polymers (Basel). 2021 Oct 16;13(20):3572. doi: 10.3390/polym13203572.

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the mechanical properties of polycarbonate-based composites filled with both organic and inorganic reinforcements before and after simulated environmental degradation. Series of polycarbonate-based samples were prepared in the form of thin tapes. Their rheological properties were examined. Then, the samples were exposed to artificial environmental conditions. Finally, their rheological properties were examined once more, and the results were compared with those obtained for untreated samples. This paper presents basic research on the application of inorganic fillers to polycarbonate in order to determine the influence of the filler on the behavior of the obtained material. The aim of the work was to determine the usefulness and purpose of using this type of filler in polycarbonates for applications in contact with ultraviolet radiation, especially medical applications.

Keywords: aging; composite; polycarbonate.