Effects of thymolphthalein on thermo-oxidative stability of polypropylene

In the present work, effects of thymolphthalein, on thermo-oxidative stability of polypropylene in solid and melt states were evaluated and compared with those of SONGNOX 1010, a commercially used antioxidant for the polymer. Oven ageing experiments followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that thymolphthalein enhances the stability of the polymer outstandingly in the solid state and its stabilization efficiency is comparable to that of SONGNOX 1010. In addition, measurements of oxidation onset temperature using differential scanning calorimetry revealed that thymolphthalein improves thermo-oxidative stability of the polymer in the melt state significantly. It was also showed that thymolphthalein does not interfere with the stabilization action of SONGNOX 1010 in the polymer neither in melt nor in solid state