Photostabilization of Nylon 66 in presence of acid blue dyes

We have examined the effect of two different classes of photostabilizers, UV absorber and hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) on Nylon 66 to prevent the photo-oxidation of the polymer matrix and colour fading of the dye. Acid blue dyes, UV absorber and HALS were observed to impart photostability to Nylon 66. UV absorber and HALS showed photostability directly proportional to their relative concentration in the polymer whereas in case of dye, 0.2% w/w concentration was observed as the optimum concentration. Loss of UV absorber with photo-irradiation time was found to be inversely proportional to the UV absorber concentration in the polymer whereas the fading of the dye was directly proportional to its concentration in the polymer. UV absorber imparted higher lightfastness to the dye as compared to HALS. No influence of the substitution on pendant phenyl ring of anthraquinone acid blue dyes was observed for their photostabilizing efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]