Study of the Effect of UV-exposure on HDPE/Carbon Black Composite Floating Structure

Abstract

HDPE material is found to be best suited material for the manufacturing of floating bed structure for the solar photovoltaic (PV) system due to its light weight and excellent mechanical & chemical resistant properties. However, the major restriction in this regard is the limited engineering design and also the effect of UV radiations present in the natural environment that leads to the degradation of the plastic materials. Hence, in order to improve its UV stability carbon black is incorporated into it as UV resistant additive and hollow cubical floats of such HDPE/carbon black composite material has been manufactured by rotational molding process and studied. Similarly, hollow cubical floats of virgin HDPE material was also manufactured and studied for comparison.