Testing to ASTM D5208 – 14
Standard tests, such as ASTM D5208 – 14, should be carried out on the products made up of oxo-degradables in order to verify and fully understand the biodegradation process. Due to the various catalytic additives added to plastics, the rate of degradation and how well it will degrade depends on the environment and if the correct factors are present.
This method involves the conditioning of the photodegradable plastics in a Fluorescent UV weathering chamber for a period of time and periodically assess the degradation process compared with conventional plastic.
The degradation endpoint of the plastics can be determined by a tensile test revealing the change of tensile strength and elongation. Other properties that can be measured are molecular weight, using Gel permeation chromatography techniques.
In accordance with EPA regulation 40 CFR Part 238, a polyethylene or polypropylene material cannot be considered as photodegradable when tested in accordance with this practice if exposure of longer than 250 light hours using Cycle A is needed to produce degradation end point determined in accordance with standard tensile tests.
