32

A Study of the Spectral Distributions of Sun-Sky and Xenon-Arc Radiation in

Relation to the Degradation of Some Textile Yarns

. Part I : Yarn Degradation1

MARJORIE J. WALL AND GRACE C. FRANK

Department of Consumer Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

The effects of xenon-arc radiation, using an Atlas Weather-Ometer and a clear glass pyrex filter system, on the breaking
strength, extension-to-break, and the energy-to-break for several nylon, polyester, and polyester/cotton yarns were
compared to these of outdoor exposure behind window glass. Both types of exposure resulted in similar, related rates
of loss for these properties for all yarns. Lamp age in the Weather-Ometer intluenced degradation rates in some cases.
All nylon yarns degraded slowly during Weather-Ometer exposure and rapidly outdoors behind window-glass, in com-
parison to polyester, while the polyester/cotton yarns degraded at similar rates in both locations. Yarn-denier variation
and the presence of an optical, brightener had no detectable effect on degradation rates. Sensitization by anatase in
nylon and polyester yarns occurred during outdoor exposure, but not during Weather-Ometer exposure.
KEYWORDS
Nylon yarn; polyester yarn. Degraded yarn. Daylight; anatase; delusterant. ’rime; temperature; RH; lamp age;
radiation intensity; glass filters. Degradation rates; breaking strength; extension-to-break; energy-to-break; spectral
distribution; Outdoor exposure; Weather-Ometer exposure.

degradation, if most of the short wavelengths

’

Introduction .
factor in
were not screened out by the amtosphere before reach-
Exposure to sunlight is known to have a degrada- the earth’s surface. The near-uv light reaching
tive effect on most natural fibers. Such exposure can ing
the earth, although composing only 5 j{ of the total
cause loss of strength and extensibility, discoloration,
spectral distribution, gives more energy per photon
fading, and disintegration or &dquo;rotting&dquo; of fabrics. than does visible or ir radiation [10). Since the ener-
This problem has not been overcome with the develop-
ment of synthetic polymeric materials, as many of
gies of photons in the near-uv region correspond to or
exceed the covalent-bond energies of some chemical
them are also damaged by sunlight ( 14, 18, 20].
some bond rupture is likely to result from
Wuch research has been conducted to study the effects structures,
their absorption [15, 23, 29 J .
of sunlight and weather on textile -fibers and other
One
polymers, and many bibliographies and reviews of the standardmajor problem influencing the usefulness of
test methods, which have been developed for
subject have been published [9, 10, 14, 24, 25 1. the outdoor exposure of materials [1, 2, 6, 30 J, is the
The team &dquo;weather&dquo; refers to a complex system of
seasonal fluctuation which occurs in the uv light reach-
many components for which there can be no actual
the earth’s surface [13, 15, 24, 28 J . Measure-
standards. Variations are caused by factors such as ing
ments of exposure periods in terms of total radiation
season, geographical location, climatic conditions, alti- in
tude, orientation of samples in relation to the sun, and Langleys (cal/cm2 ) will not give an accurate com-
presence of pollutants in the atmosphere. However, of the
parison between tests performed at different seasons
most researchers agree that the features of weather year in the same locations. Singleton et al. [ 27,
28 have suggested that greater reproducibility of re-
most responsible for changes in polymeric materials
sults can be achieved by using Coblentz factors [71]
are light, particularly of near-uv wavelengths, moisture
which show the seasonal fluctuation of uv energy in
in liquid or vapor form, temperature, and oxygen [8,
the range of 2900-3150A, proportionate to the total
11, 15, 24 1. Tests of a material’s weatherability may measured (Langleys). Using these factors, ex-
be conducted outdoors by using direct-exposure meth- energy
can be based on the amount of uv
ods or exposure behind window glass, in which case posure periods
received in the above-mentioned range, rather
the effects of some of the above-mentioned factors are energy
than total radiation. Singleton and Cook [ 28 J are
lessened.
of seasonal influence on a range of
Sunlight is generally considered to be the most continuing study
important element in weathering. The sun is a major wavelengths through the near-uv solar spectrum at the
earth’s surface. However, Coblentz maintained that
source of radiant energy and would be an even greater the area of 2900-3150A is most sensitive to seasonal
1 Presented at 29th Sci. Session, Inst. Textile Science, fluctuation and is also most important to biological
Toronto, Ontario, April 8, 1970. systems and actinic degradation.

The many variables affecting the study of weather-
ing and the length of time required to assess its effects
have led to the development of simulated laboratory
tests in which relative humidity, temperature, and
radiation intensity can be controlled and degradation
rates speeded up.
The artificial light sources most commonly used are
the carbon-arc and xenon-arc lamps for which standard
test methods have been devised [3, 4, 5, 30 I. Various
studies have been made regarding their reliability in
comparison to actual weathering tests [23, 27, 28].
Although the xenon arc has been found to compare
more closely to sunlight than the carbon
arc, labora-
tory test methods cannot be relied upon to give fore-
casts of behavior of textiles in use ( 13,
16, 22, 26, 27 J .
Weathering causes modification and breakdown of
the molecular structure of textile materials, which, in
turn, results in the loss of strength, extensibility, gen-
eral durability, and possibly appearance. When con-
ducting weathering and light-exposure tests, breaking-
strength loss is commonly used as a measure of the
amount of degradation that has occurred [11, 18, 23,
27, 28 J . Lee and Finkner [17] measured loss in
breaking extension in addition to breaking strength
in assessing the degradation of cotton exposed to sun-
light. Assessment of physical properties, other than
breaking strength, can prove important in determining
the usefulness of materials for various purposes.
Many additives may be incorporated into synthetic
fibers and plastics to alter their appearance and im-
prove their properties. Light inhibitors are frequently
added to nylon spinning solutions to improve their
light resistance. Durability of textiles to light has
been shown to depend on factors such as luster, fila-
ment denier, fiber cross section, and pigmentation as
’
, ’1’:vs~r: 1. I)etails of yarn characteristics.
-
Unspecified chemical nature and unknown ’~
33
well as polymer type [ 10] . These factors, as well as
the end use, influence the need for light inhibitors.
Titanium dioxide is frequently incorporated into
polymers as a delustrant. Decreased luster has been
shown to increase the degradation rate of fibers be-
cause less uv radiation is reflected [ 10 J . 1n the ana-
tase form, titanium dioxide has been shown to act as
a photo-sensitizer at increased temperatures Ill. 12,
191.
The degradation of fibers and similar polymeric
materials, such as molded thermoplastics, due to arti-
ficial and actual weathering, is a complex area of study
influenced by many factors. This paper deals with
the effects of daylight exposure behind window glass
and of filtered xenon-arc radiation on the breaking
strength, elongation-to-break, and energy-to-break of
a variety of nylon, polyester, and polyester/cotton
blend yarns. The effects of various yarn character-
istics, including luster, denier, and a light inhibitor
and an optical brightener on fiber degradation are also
noted. In Part II, the uv spectral distributions of the
filtered xenon arc and of summer sunlight filtered
through window glass are compared and related to
. fiber degradation.
Experimental
Materials
Eight commercially available, undyed yarns wound
on bobbins were selected to give a variety of char-
acteristics including tex, luster, and additive variations.
These yarns are described in Table I.
Equipment
Equipment included an Atlas Weather-Ometer
(Model 25/18-1%’R, Atlas Electric Devices. Chicago,
content.
 34

Ill. ) equipped with a 2 500-watt xenon-arc burner and humidity, and total incoming radiation (in
relative
a clear glass outer and pyrex inner filter system; two Langleys) were also maintained.
outdoor exposure cabinets (Model DE-1, Atlas Elec- Exposure periods were established by using the
tric Devices); and a Table Model Instron tester. method described by Singleton et al. [27 J, in which
ratios developed by Coblentz in Washington, D. C.
Preparation and Exposure of Yarn Samples ’ were used to obtain a rough estimate of the amount
. From a single bobbin of each yarn, test specimens of near-uv radiation in the region of 2900-3150A to
were prepared as follows. The tex and denier were the total terrestrial sun and sky radiation. As the
calculated for each of the yarns used. Yarn for samples were exposed behind window glass, much of
Weather-Ometer exposure was wound on the long axis the above mentioned radiation was filtered out. How-
of heavy bristol-board cards measuring 81 X 61 in. ever, the measurements of total sun radiation (Lang-
Yarn for outdoor exposure behind glass was wound in leys) were for unfiltered sunlight and, on the basis of
the crosswise direction on cards measuring 6 X 41 in. Singleton’s observations, it was thought that use of
Each card contained six different segments of yarn these ratios would give a better approximation of the
from different parts of the bobbin wound at ~-in. relative uv radiation reaching the samples than a
spacing. record of total . incident radiation. Exposure times
One card of each yarn type was used during each were controlled in terms of the near uv radiation
period of exposure in the Weather-Ometer. Expo- ( 2900-3150:~ ) using increments of approximately 500
sures were conducted to continuous light from the cal/CM2 (Table III). An approximate duplicate ex-
xenon arc for periods of 50, 100, 150, and 200 hr. posure period was made in all cases.
Lamp and filter aging and wattage levels were con-
trolled according to the manufacturer’s specifications TABLE III. Details of outdoor exposures behind glass.
and those outlined in standard test methods [4, 30] .
A black-panel temperature of 145° ± 2°F and 40%
± 5)1 RH were maintained within the Weather-
Ometer. Test conditions are given in Table II. For
outdoor exposure, two metal exposure cabinets were
located on a roof top at the University of Guelph,22
facing due south, with the glass covers and specimens
inclined at a 45° angle from the horizontal to meet
the specifications of Test Method 18.2 of the Canadian
Government Specifications Board, 4-GP-2 [ 6 ~ . Black-
panel temperatures at the specimen level and the
interior-cabinet air temperatures .were recorded daily
at noon. Daily records of mean air temperature, mean
TABLE II. Dgtails of exposure conditions in the Weather-Ometer.

Assessment of Yarn Degradation

Individual yarn samples were broken on an Instron
tester with a gauge length of 4.0 in. and an elongation
rate of 2.0 in./min. Yarn-breaking strength was re-
corded as the in the load-elon-
highest point reached
gation Percent
curve. extension to the breaking point
and energy-to-break were also calculated.
To determine averages, ten samples were randomly
chosen and broken from each card of nylon and poly-
ester filament yarn, and 15 samples from the poly-
a
For reasons that will be discussed later, the above designated
pairs (e.g., B 2, B 4) were averaged together to give representative ester/cotton staple yarns. Two duplicate tests of this
results for each exposure period. ’ size were averaged for each exposure level in the
Weather-Ometer and for untreated yarn. The results
- - _ --- -

2
Guelph, Ontario, Canada, is located at approximately 80° 15’
west longitude and 43°33’ north latitude. of the outdoor exposures were based on 20 samples
 35

from each card of filament yarns and 30 samples from

each card of staple yarns, with the hope that any
differences in exposure periods due to the influence of
seasonal fluctuations in radiation would be more evi-
dent due to increased accuracy of the average values.
Discussion
Statistical comparisons were made of the results of
the breaking-strength tests conducted on samples ex-
posed for the same number of hours but at different
ages of the xenon-arc lamp (Table II ). With one
exception (PI, 100 hr), no significant differences at
the 95% level were noted for the polyester and poly-
ester/cotton blend yarns exposed during the early
hours of lamp use, compared to the latter hours of
its recommended use. The nylon yarns did not
demonstrate this difference, possibly because of their Ftc. 1. Comparison of % losses of breaking strength. ex-
tension-to-break, and energy-to-break for NI exposed in the
very low rates of degradation. These findings are in Weather-Ometer (clear glass/pyrex filters).
agreement with those of Hirt and Searle [26] who
have indicated that aging of lamps and filters reduces
xenon-arc radiation intensity due to solarization of
the filters and deposits forming on the lamp envelope.
Based on this preliminary study, only exposures con-
ducted within the lamp age limits of 200-1050 hr were
used to give the general results of each exposure.
This allowed a greater preaging period to ensure that
the initial rapid decrease in radiation had levelled out
reasonably. Lamp use was discontinued at 1050 hr
rather than at the manufacturer’s recommended age of
1500 hr as older lamps became badly blackened, caus-
ing a visible reduction in intensity. Averages were
based on a test conducted at the beginning of this
period combined with a test of the same duration con-
ducted at the end (e.g., B2, B4 and D1, D2) or two
tests conducted approximately midway (e.g., A1, A2
and C3, C4).
.

Different rates of loss for breaking strength, elonga-

tion-to-break, and energy-t6-break occurred for the
filament yarns, compared to the staple yarns during
both Weather-Ometer and outdoor exposures. NI
and PIlI (Figs. 1 and 2) demonstrate the comparative
rates of loss for these three properties, typical of all
the polyester and nylon filament yarns during Weather-
Ometer and outdoor exposure. Greatest percent losses
occurred in the energy-to-break with the percent loss,
FIG. 2. Comparison of % losses of breaking strength, ex-
in elongation-to-break slightly less, and in breaking
tension-to-brcak, and energy-to-break for Plll exposed in the
strength considerably lower. In contrast to this, the Weather-Ometer (clear glass/pyrea filters).
staple polyester/cotton blend yarns lost breaking
strength at a similar or higher rate than breaking of 30% or higher) and high energy-to-break in rela-
elongation and energy-to-break decreased at the high- tion to their breaking strength; the staple yarns, in
est rate, as is shown by PCI in Figure 3. This com- the unexposed state, had comparatively high breaking
pares with the Lee and Finkners findings [17J] for strength in relation to their elongation and energy-to-
pure cotton yarns, where breaking strength was lost break. The percent loss in energy-to-break was great-
at a greater rate than breaking extension. est in all cases, probably because this measurement is
These trends may be related to the breaking proper- essentially the product of force and extension and is
ties of the yarns before exposure: the filament yarns affected by the combined losses in breaking strength
had relatively high breaking elongation, (in the nature and elongation.
36

ent within the yarns, and possible differences in the

intensity distributions of the uv radiation of the xenon
arc in comparison to sunlight. This last factor is dealt
with in detail in Part II of this work.
Temperatures experienced during daylight and
Weather-Ometer exposures do not generally possess

FIG. 3. Comparison of % losses of breaking strength, ex-

tension-to-break, and ener~y-to-break for PCI exposed in the
V’eather-Ometer (clear glass/pyrex filters) .

Theimportance of examining these three properties

depends upon the end use of the material [20].
Strength or tenacity gives a measure of resistance to Fie. 4. The effects of xenon-arc exposure (clear glass/pyrex
constant forces, while breaking elongation measures filters) on the breaking strengths of nylon, polyester, and
the resistance of a material to extention, and energy- polyester/cotton yarns.
to-break assesses the ability of a material to withstand
sudden shocks. The extremely high losses in breaking
extension and energy-to-break that occurred, particu-
larly in the filament yarns, due to sunlight and xenon-
arc exposure, indicate that these properties could be-
come the limiting factors in determining the durability
of some materials exposed to sunlight. This is ex-
emplified by the nylon yarns, where a 25% loss in
breaking strength was accompanied by approximately
a 70% loss in energy-to-break during outdoor ex-
posure.
Daylight exposure behind glass resulted in much
different rankings of degradation rates for the yarns,
compared to V’eather-Ometer exposures.
xenon-arc
All of the nylon yarns degraded more slowly than the
polyesters and polyester/cotton blends in Weather-
Ometer tests (Fig. 4). However, outdoor exposures
degraded the dull nylon yarns more quickly than any
of the polyesters or blends tested (Fig. 5). The bright
polyester PI lost strength more slowly outdoors than
in the Weather-Ometer in relation to the other yarns,
while the two dull PII and Plil degraded
polyesters
much rapidly.
more The blend yarns PCI and 1’CII
degraded at similar rates in both locations.
Several factors may contribute to these differences;
these include the differences in temperature and hu-
midity between the locations, continuous light expo- Fic. 5. The effects of outdoor exposure behind window
sure in the Weather-Ometer as opposed to the natural the breaking strengths of nylon, polyester, and poly-
glass on
daily cycle of light and dark outdoors, additives pres- ester/cotton yarns.

sufficient energy to cause dissociation of chemical
bonds in textile polymers. However, as temperatures
increase, the rates of any reactions initiated by other
means usually increase [11, 15]. Hence, the temper-
atures encountered during both types of exposure
probably would not cause the completely different
degradation rankings which occurred. The average,
noon black-panel temperatures recorded in the outdoor
weather cabinets rarely exceeded the black-panel tem-
perature maintained in the Weather-Ometer ( 145 ° F )
and were frequently lower. Ambient-temperature
fluctuations outdoors may have caused some differ-
ences in degradation rates, but these do not account
for such a wide disparity in results.
The relative humidities experienced outdoors were
consistently higher than in the Weather-Ometer and
fluctuated to some extent. Although no measurements
of actual humidity within the exposure cabinets were
made, it is probable that heat buildup within the
cabinets during the day would tend to lower the in-
terior humidity to which the yarn samples were
exposed. Furthermore, the presence of moisture has
been shown to have little effect on the actinic break-
down of nylon and polyester and to affect both in a
similar manner [15]. Thus, it seems unlikely that
humidity differences could have caused the anomolous
situation between nylon and polyester degradation
rates during outdoor and Weather-Ometer exposures.
The effects of continuous exposure to the light
source in the Weather-Ometer, as opposed to the nat-
ural day and night cycle outdoors, cannot be easily
assessed [13, 15, 24]. However, there is no evidence
to indicate that this factor could cause such dissimilar
results between the two types of exposure as were
observed.
Both temperature and relative-humidity fluctuations
during outdoor exposures may have had some effect
on the differences in degradation rates and particularly
may have influenced the sensitization reaction of ana-
tase. The yarns contained varying amounts of ti-
tanium dioxide, as indicated in Table I. Those con-
taining the least (PI and NI) demonstrated
remarkably lower degradation rates outdoors, com-
pared to the dull yarns containing larger amounts.
NI also contained an additional protective light in-
hibitor. Increased temperatures and the presence of
moisture have been shown to influence the sensitiza-
tion mechanism of titanium dioxide, bringing about
polymer degradation through oxidation [11, 12, 19,
20 ] , and uv radiation from sunlight has been related
to this reaction [12, 19]. Further discussion of the
role of titanium dioxide in relation to the spectral
distribution studies is dealt with in Part II of this
work.
As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, yarn-denier vari-
ations of the magnitudes tested in this experiment did
not appear to influence degradation rates. Similarly,
37
the presence of an optical brightener in one of the
polyester/cotton blend yarns (PCI) did not affect its
degradation rate when the large variation in the two
blend yarns was considered.
The use of the Coblentz factors to determine the
exposure periods outdoors in terms of uv radiation
from 2900 to 31 SOl~ gave fairly good comparisons be-
tween similar exposure times. The record of total
incoming radiation for similar exposure periods varied
considerably, indicating that it is an inadequate means
of measuring exposure times. This is in general
agreement with studies of seasonal variation in the
uv portion of sunlight conducted by Singleton et al.
[27, 281, ~ ewland and Tamblyn ~ )21], and Hirt and
Searle [13, 26 J . However, unlike Singleton’s claims,
no meaningful relationship between the xenon-arc
Weather-Ometer and outdoor tests are justifiable in
this work.
Literature Cited
1. American Society for Testing and Materials, "ASTM Book
of Standards," Part 27. Recommended Practise for Out-
door Weathering of Plastics, D1435-65, Philadelphia, 1968.
pp. 507-511.
2. American Society for Testing and Materials, "ASTM Book
of Standards," Part 30, Conducting Natural Light (Sun-
light and Daylight) Exposures Under Glass, Philadelphia,
1968, pp. 508-511.
3. American Society for Testing and Materials, "ASTM Book
of Standards," Part 30, Operating Light and Water Ex-
posure Apparatus (Carbon Arc Type), E42-65, Philadel-
phia, 1968, pp. 146-154.
4. American Society for Testing and Materials, "ASTM Book
of Standards," Part 30, Operating Light and Water Ex-
posure Apparatus (Xenon Arc Type), E239-64T. Phila-
delphia, 1968, pp. 752-759.
5. Canadian Government Specifications Board, 4-GP-2, Ca-
nadian Standard Textile Test Methods, Method 18.1,
1967.
6. Canadian Government Specifications Board, 4-GP-2, Ca-
nadian Standard Textile Test Methods, Method 18.2,
1967.
7. Coblentz, W. W., Correlation of Bioclimatic Ultraviolet
and Total Solar Radiation in Washington, D. C., 1941-
1948. Bull. Amer. Met. Soc. 30. 204-207 (1949).
8. Daruwalla, E. H. et al., Photodegradation of Cotton and
Chemically Modified Cotton, Textile Res. J. 37, 147-172
(1967).
9. Desai, R. L., Photodegradation of Cellulose Materials, Re-
view of the Literature, Pulp Paper Mag. Canada 69(16).
T322-T330 (1968).
10. Dupont of Canada Limited, Textile Fibers Department.
Technical Services Bulletin, Light and Weather Resistance
of Fibers, X-45, Kingston, Ontario, Jan. 1967.
11. Egerton, G. S. and Shah, K. M., The Effect of Temper-
ature on the Photochemical Degradation of Textile Mate-
rials, Part I : Degradation Sensitization by Titanium
Dioxide, Textile Res. J. 38, 130-135 (1968).
12. Hindson, W. R. and Kelly, P. G., Effect of Some White
Pigments on the Actinic Degradation of Cotton.
Nature
177(4522), 1241-1242 (1956).
13. Hirt, R. G. and Searle, N. Z., Energy Characteristics of
Outdoor and Indoor Exposure Sources and Their Relation
to the Weatherability of Plastics, in "Applied Polymer
Symposia," No. 4, New York, Interscience, 1967, pp.
61-83.
38

14. Kamal. M. R., Ed., Weatherability of Plastic Materials, in
"Applied Polymer Symposia," No. 4, New York, nter-
science, 1967.
15. Kamal, M. R. and Saxon, R., Recent Developments n the
Analysis and Prediction of Weatherability of in
"Applied Polymer Symposia," No. 4, New York, Ptastics,inter-
science, 1967, pp. 1-28.
16. Kinmonth, R. A., Jr., Weatherability of Plastics, S.P.E.
Trans. 4(3), 229-235 (1964).
17. Lee, J. S., and Finkner, M. D., Differences in Outdoor
Weathering of Cotton, Textile Res. J. 38, 1044-1047
(1968).
18. Little, A. H. and Parsons, H. L., The Weatherability of
Cotton, Nylon, and Terylene Fabrics in the United
Kingdom. J. Textile Inst. 58, 449-462 (1967).
19. Mark, H. F., Atlas, S. M., and Cernia, E., Eds., "Man-
Made Fibers Science and Technology," Vol. 2, New York.
Interscience, 1968.
20. Morton, W. E. and Hearle, J. W. S., "Physical Properties
of Textile Fibers," The Textile Institute, Manchester,
1965.
21. Newland, G. C. and Tamblyn, J. W., Actinometry of Sun-
light at Kingsport, Tennessee, in "Applied Polymer Sym-
posia," No. 4, New York, Interscience, 1967, pp. 119-129.
22. Norton. J. E., Kiunthe, H. O., and Connor, J. D., New
Developments in Water Cooled Xenon Lamps for Light-
fastness and Weathering Tests, Part I, Can. Textile J.
(10),
86 50-54 (1969).
23. Rhode Island Section of the AATCC, Degradation of
Polyamide Fibers Exposed to Various Sources of Radi-
ation, Textile Chem. Colourist 1(4), 99-104 (1969).
24. Rugger, G. R., Weathering in "Environmental Effects on
Polymeric Materials, Vol. I, Environments," D. V. Rosato
and J. Swartz, Eds., New York, Interscience, 1968, pp.
339-411.
25. Searle, N. Z. and Hirt, H. C., Bibliography of Ultraviolet
Degradation and Stabilization of Plastics, S.P.E. Trans.
2(1),32-54 (1962).
26. Searle, N. Z., Giesecke, P., Kinmonth, R., and Hirt, R. C.,
Ultraviolet Spectral Distributions and Aging Character-
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927 (1964).
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Factors Influencing the Evaluation of Actinic Degrada-
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28. Singleton, R. W. and Cook, P. A. C., Factors Influencing
the Evaluation of Actinic Degradation of Fibers, Part II:
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Weathering, Textile Res. J. 39, 45-49 (1969) .
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Manuscrip, received July 20, 1970.

A Study of the Spectral Distributions of Sun-Sky and Xenon-Arc Radiation in

Relation to the Degradation of Some Textile Yarns
Part II : Spectral Distribution Studies

MARJORIE J. WALL AND GRACE C. FRANK

Department of Consumer Studies
AND

J. R. STEVENS

Department of Physics
University of Guelph Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT

The spectral distributions of xenon-arc radiation using several filter systems were compared to August sun-sky radiation
measured behind window glass. By locating the main bond-dissociation energies of polyester and nylon at their equivalent
photon energies on the spectral distribution curves it was possible to explain the discrepancies in degradation rates, reported
in Part I of this work, which occurred between the xenon-arc and outdoor exposures. These differences in spectra may also
account for degradation sensitization by anatase during the outdoor exposures.

KEYWORDS

Nylon; polyester. Degraded polymers. Daylight; anatase; delusterant. Degradation; bond-dissociation energy
spectral distribution. Outdoor exposure; Weather-Ometer exposure.

-4L,
~.
~
Introduction .

light and is extremely important in many photo-

The ultraviolet spectrum from 3000 to 4000A degradation reactions. Many bond dissociation ener-
constitutes the most
energetic part of terrestrial sun- gies involving carbon chains lie in the area of 70-90 kcal
1
Presented at29th Sci. Session, Inst. Textile Science, Toronot, and correspond to the energies associated with these
Ontario, April 8, 1970. wavelengths [4, 7, 11, 12, 14, 19].