Physico-chemical durability criteria of oils and linked bio-based polymers

The oxidative stability or durability is an important indicator of performance that depends on the composition of the sample. The fatty oil or polymer degradation processes have generally been established as being free radical mechanism yielding primary oxidation products. We propose to explain in detail all the analytical methods and tools used for the determination of the initial physico-chemical properties of oils and the properties in ageing conditions. Chemical titrations for acid or peroxide value, Rancimat method or thermogravimetric measurements are discussed. Accelerated ageing tools for thermal or photochemical exposures are also shown. After the assessment of oil durability, the development of new bio-based polymer with vegetable oil is tackled because of its industrial interest. It is essential to understand the long term behavior of oils and biopolymers and to assess exactly the durability which is useful to produce life cycle analysis of materials. At last we underline the advantages of a new Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instrumentation with in-situ irradiation and gas cell to give a screening of the durability of various oils or polymers. Main durability criteria of oils and biopolymers are linked to the production of volatile organic compounds and the resistance to the oxidation process.