The effect of sand wind, temperature and exposure time on tri-layer polyethylene film used as greenhouse roof

This work aims at studying the degradable effect of artificial ageing on tri-layer stabilised lowdensity polyethylene (PE) films used as greenhouse cover in the North Africa environment. The film was supplied by Agrofilm company, Algeria. Colour additives and infra-red and ultraviolet stabilisers were used. Optical, thermal, surface and mechanical properties have been investigated for virgin sample and samples exposed to sand wind for different exposure periods (1, 2, 4 and 8 h) of artificial ageing at a temperature of 40°C simulating Saharan environment. The findings of this study show that the harsh environmental conditions of exposure to temperature and sand wind have significant degradable effects on the properties of the PE film. The transmission of the film and its mechanical properties have reduced significantly due to exposure to sand wind and temperature. The study revealed also that the degradation parameters measured are directly related to the criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of agricultural greenhouse

Performance of multi-layered LDPE films used as greenhouse cover in semiarid climate.

The low-density polyethylene films used for greenhouse roof were naturally weathered for 9 months in harsh climatic conditions (Tiaret region, Algeria). The changes in the mechanical properties have been measured by tensile and creep-recovery tests. The measurements were carried out for both monolayer and tri-layer films. The anisotropic character of the films is preserved during ageing. The improvement in the creep resistance via cross-linking for both monolayer and tri-layer films affects different deformations. The results revealed that the degradation performance of these new tri-layer films is found to be quite better than that of the monolayer film, with regard to the mechanical properties

Effect of Sand Wind on the Polyethylene Film used as greenhouse cover.

This work aims at studying the degradable effect of artificial ageing on tri-layer polyethylene films used as greenhouse cover in the North Africa environment. The film was supplied by Agrofilm and made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), containing additives (e.g., color and ultraviolet UV stabilizers). Optical, thermal, surface analysis and mechanical properties have been analyzed on samples having undergone different thermal treatments associated with sand and wind simulation in order to test their performance when used in a Saharan environment. The study has been carried out over a period of eight hours of artificial ageing “Sand and wind simulation at 40°C”. The findings show that the environmental factors have degradable effects on the durability and all properties of the polyethylene film. The study revealed also that the degradation parameters measured are directly related to criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of agricultural greenhouse. The simultaneous effect of temperature and sand wind induced the most significant degradation on the film surface and consequently a reduction in the lifetime of the material