IR spectroscopic study on the thermal degradation of plastic security cover sheets of some documents

The change in IR spectra of plastic security cover sheets of ethylene vinylacetate copolymer during thermal treatment was investigated. The results obtained revealed that the temperature reduced the concentration of the ester group; moreover, the carbonyl band disappeared at high temperatures from 200 to 220°C, as well as broading of the absorption aliphatic–CH band. The change in the mechanical properties, degree of swelling in water, and refractive index of the samples during thermal treatment were also investigated.