IR-change and colour changes of long-oil air drying alkyd paints as a result of UV irradiation

In this study the formation of photo-oxidative species was studied by monitoring the changes in the FT-IR spectra and colour changes. To stabilize long-oil air drying alkyd paint, separate and synergistic influence of two stabilizers were used Uvasorb^®S28 as the UV-absorber and Uvasorb^®HA29 as the stabilizer which inhibits the degradation of some groups. In the presence of UV radiation (450 h, λ > 300 nm), the alkyd paint undergoes photodegradation with gradual change of its colour. The photochemical degradation of the alkyd paint is associated with an increase in the hydroxyl content and broadening of the absorption in the carbonyl region. Analysis of the colour changes in alkyd surface during photodegradation was carried out by measuring CIEL*a*b* colour components (L*, a*, b* and ΔE*). Overall, ΔE* colour change correlates well with photodegradation of alkyd paint by relative increase of the concentration of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups determinated by FT-IR measurements.