An Investigation on the Effect of Ultra Violet (UV) Light on the Properties of Different Technical Polyester Yarns

In this study, the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on the surface properties, mechanical properties and microstructural properties of technical polyester yarns were investigated. Therefore, high tenacity polyethylene terepthtalate (HT PET), dimensionally stable polyethylene terepthtalate (DS PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and liquid crystal polymer Vectran yarns were used. Fully drawn polyethylene terepthtalate (FDY PET) yarns were also included in the study in order to compare the results. The changes in the properties of the samples after UV aging were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, tensile tests and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The most significant difference was observed in Vectran in terms of colour and surface properties. Moreover, the mechanical properties of Vectran were negatively affected. PEN showed the least difference among the other samples. FTIR results supported the findings