The ABS degradation was investigated after thermal- (80°C) and photo-oxidative ageing (ASTM G53 and G24). These conditions were selected to simulate a car interior and the ABS lifetime weatherability. ABS changes were characterised by mechanical properties, melt flow index, carbonyl index (FT-IR), yellowing index and macro-photography of impact fracture. The results showed that each technique gives a characteristically answer for the ageing method. The multivariate analysis provided the degradation view as a function of the ageing method.
ABS; thermal and photo degradation; properties; multivariate analysis
