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[Zhenshun’s Little Science Tip] How to Slow Down Plastic Aging?

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2021-12-02 11:50

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Introduction: During processing, storage, and use, plastic materials exposed to natural or artificial environmental conditions gradually degrade in performance—this phenomenon is commonly referred to as plastic aging. Below, we’ll share several commonly used methods for combating plastic aging, for your reference.

One, The essence of plastic aging

Plastic aging is essentially a result of degradation—specifically, a reduction in the number of carbon atoms within the molecular structure, a decrease in molecular weight, or the breakdown of large molecules into smaller ones.
However, incomplete plastic degradation is not the same as plastic aging; we are primarily concerned with the impact of plastic aging and deterioration on usability. On the other hand, scientists are also leveraging degradation to mitigate or eliminate the environmental pollution caused by discarded plastics.

II. Signs of plastic aging

After a certain period of use, plastic products exhibit degradation in their original performance, eventually leading to a loss or impairment of their usability. This is a sign of plastic aging, and it typically manifests itself in the following ways:

1. Reduced strength
2. Crispy
3. Fracture
4. Soften
5. Loss of mechanical strength
6. Harden
……

Three, Causes of plastic aging

There are many factors that cause plastic aging; generally speaking, plastic aging is the result of a combination of internal and external influences.
On the one hand, this is determined by the molecular properties of plastics themselves. The unsaturated double bonds, side chains, carbonyl groups, and hydroxyl groups at the chain ends—all these components present in plastic molecular chains—are prone to causing aging and will undergo a certain degree of degradation over time. During the degradation process, the resulting degradation products generate free radicals, which trigger a chain reaction in the molecular chains, thereby accelerating the rate of degradation even further.
On the other hand, influenced by environmental and external factors such as sunlight, oxygen, heat, water, radiation, industrial gases, mold, bacteria, insects, and others, the molecular weight within plastics changes, leading to the phenomenon of aging.
It is worth noting that plastics are synthetic polymeric compounds, and in addition to the main component—resin—they also require the addition of other substances. Due to differences in the structure of various material chains, as well as variations in their constituent materials and manufacturing processes, the aging rates of different plastics also differ.

Four, How to slow down plastic aging

Although aging is an irreversible and unavoidable process, there are still several methods that can slow down plastic degradation and extend its service life. Currently, the main approaches for improving and enhancing the anti-aging performance of plastic materials include the following:

1. Through the filler To enhance the strength and heat resistance of plastics, fillers are primarily categorized into organic and inorganic types. The former includes materials such as wood flour, shredded cloth, paper, and various textile fibers, while the latter comprises materials like glass fiber, diatomaceous earth, asbestos, and carbon black.
2. Add plasticizer It enhances the plasticity and flexibility of plastics, reduces brittleness, and makes plastics easier to process and mold.
3. Add a stabilizer Such as stearates and epoxy resins, these additives prevent synthetic resins from decomposing and degrading under the influence of light and heat during processing and use, thereby extending their service life.
4. Add an antioxidant To prevent plastics from yellowing and cracking due to thermal oxidation during heating, molding, or high-temperature use.
5. Add an anti-mold agent. To prevent corrosion by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold.
6. Based on the specific requirements of the part, add flame retardants, foaming agents, antistatic agents, and other additives to meet different application needs.
7. Add colorants and lubricants. This gives plastics a variety of vivid, smooth appearances and can also slow down plastic degradation to some extent.
8. Add an antistatic agent It imparts light to moderate electrical conductivity to plastics, preventing the accumulation of static charges.
9. Employing physical methods Such processes as electroplating, painting, coloring, and packaging can slow down degradation to a certain extent.
10. Pay attention to daily maintenance, regular inspections and repairs, and timely replacements to nip potential hazards caused by plastic aging in the bud.

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Every departure is an opportunity to encounter even more breathtaking scenery; every journey together is a chance to forge deeper, warmer bonds. In 2025, Zhen Shun Plastics’ annual group tour arrived as scheduled. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of work, we set off toward Changbai Mountain in Northeast China, drawn by our longing for its majestic mountains and rivers. During our four-day trip, we journeyed from the humid warmth of Lingnan to the crisp freshness of northern lands, stepping from the urban clamor into nature’s serene tranquility. Every leg of the journey was filled with surprises, and every moment was worth treasuring. First Stop: Changbai Mountain—Heavenly Lake Bestows Its True Beauty On the day of departure, the sunshine was just right, and our team began our journey to Heavenly Lake. Along the way, we were deeply captivated by the stunning scenery. As the altitude gradually rose, the distant Tian Shan mountain range came into view. The rolling hills, set against the blue sky, looked majestic and awe-inspiring. After much anticipation, we finally arrived at Heavenly Lake. What luck! It was our first time visiting Changbai Mountain, yet we were greeted with the sight of Heavenly Lake itself! The crystal-clear, deep-blue waters instantly amazed everyone present. Exclamations of wonder and cheers echoed through the air. Everyone rushed to get closer to this "peerless beauty," snapping photos to capture this unforgettable moment. The magic and beauty of nature always touch our hearts directly. Photos simply can’t convey the震撼 (shocking) power of the real scene—so it truly is said, “Seeing is believing.” You really have to see these sights with your own eyes. The blue sky, white clouds, mountains, and lakes—this very moment perfectly embodied the idea that “life is an open wilderness.” After admiring Heavenly Lake, we took another off-road vehicle back to the trailhead, then switched to an eco-friendly bus to reach the waterfall attraction. The Changbai Mountain Waterfall was truly spectacular—the water roared fiercely, its sound echoing for miles. It looked like a giant silver ribbon suspended high above the canyon. Whether viewed from afar or up close, the waterfall was breathtaking. Beneath the falls, the immense impact created swirling mist, making the scene absolutely magnificent. The river flowing down the waterfall ebbed and flowed, winding and twisting, stirring our senses. Second Stop: Guangdong Village—Stepping Into a Pastoral Poem of Korean Ethnic Charm As dusk approached, we arrived at a Korean ethnic village. The setting sun was gently coloring the land with a soft glow. Gray tiles and white walls turned orange, and the eaves were edged with gold—a scene straight out of a folk painting. We stepped into a local home, where the hosts warmly welcomed us and shared with us some of their local culinary customs. Third Stop: Tumen Border Crossing—A Glimpse of Two Countries at a Glance Tumen faces Namyang, North Korea, across the river. Though separated by just a single river, it feels like two entirely different worlds. Standing on the banks of the Tumen River and gazing across, we could clearly see the houses and streets of Namyang, North Korea. Scenes of daily life unfolded before our eyes through the binoculars. Listening to our guide share stories about the neighboring country’s customs and traditions, and watching the scenes across the river, we, as Chinese citizens, felt a strong sense of happiness and pride welling up inside us. We became even more grateful for our country’s peace and prosperity. Fourth Stop: Yanji—Folklore Park—Playing Princess of Yanji for a Day “You really must visit Yanji! Take a stroll in the evening breeze of the university town, put on an elegant long dress, and freeze time in the lantern-lit Folklore Park, becoming a princess of Yanji for a day.” Yanji, with its unique ethnic charm and immersive cultural experiences, has become a “fairytale city” in the hearts of countless tourists. From the snowy winter to the lush spring and summer, this place weaves a dreamlike journey through time with traditional costumes, lanterns, and a bowl of ginseng chicken soup. As our four-day trip in Northeast China drew to a close, we found ourselves immersed in the lantern-lit ambiance of Yanji’s Folklore Park. From the breathtaking azure of Heavenly Lake on Changbai Mountain to the misty spray from the waterfall dampening our clothes; from the warm smiles of Korean families in Guangdong Village bathed in the sunset, to the surge of patriotism we felt when gazing across the Tumen River at our neighbor country—each moment was like a sparkling pearl, strung together to form our cherished memories as the Zhen Shun Plastics family. This journey not only allowed us to take a break from the busy pace of work but also deepened our understanding of each other amidst the mountains and culture, strengthening our team spirit even further. Those moments—cheering together by Heavenly Lake, taking photos of each other in the Folklore Park, sharing delicious meals around the table—all will remain the warmest source of strength in our hearts. This wonderful experience wouldn’t have been possible without the company’s thoughtfulness and care. Thank you, Zhen Shun Plastics, for always putting the happiness of every employee first and creating opportunities for us to connect with nature, embrace culture, and strengthen our bonds through our annual group tour. This heartfelt gesture has made us feel the warmth of a big family and filled us with even greater enthusiasm and anticipation for the future. Moving forward, we’ll carry the insights and emotions from this journey with us, approaching our work with renewed vigor and unity, standing side by side with the company as we set off toward new horizons and create an even brighter tomorrow. We’re eagerly awaiting the next exciting chapter of our journey! About Zhen Shun Zhen Shun Plastics has become an authorized Tier-1 distributor for LG Chem, specializing in the sale of LG Chem’s full range of plastic products: (1) Modified engineering plastics, including modified PC, PC/ABS, PP, PBT, PBT/ABS, ABS+GF, PA6/66, light-diffusing PC, PPO, PPS, POM, TPEE, etc., covering various grades and specifications such as flame-retardant, glass-fiber reinforced, long-glass-fiber reinforced, and mineral-filled (TALC); (2) General-purpose plastics, including ABS (flame-retardant, transparent, high-gloss, electroplated, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, high-impact, high-flow, etc.), PMMA, ASA, SAN, PP, PE, PS; (3) Post-consumer recycled (PCR) environmentally friendly materials, including PCR-ABS, PCR-PC, PCR-PC/ABS, PCR-PP; (4) Modified additives, including impact modifier MBS and toughening agents, etc. Mobile/WeChat: 139 2640 0876. We welcome calls and emails for inquiries and discussions. We are dedicated to tailoring personalized products to meet our customers’ needs and providing comprehensive material solutions.

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