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| 1 | Jack Zhong | -- | 174 | 2026-10-20 08:40:18 | | | |
| 2 | Jack Zhong | -9 word(s) | 165 | 2026-10-20 08:40:47 | | |
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Polymer Degradation
EditPolymer degradation is the loss of the useful properties of a polymer through a chemical or physical change in its structure, usually involving chain scission or crosslinking. The process is initiated by heat, light, oxygen, mechanical stress, or microorganisms, and the contributions are difficult to separate because they act together in service [1]. Photo-oxidation begins with the absorption of ultraviolet light by a chromophore, either in the backbone or in a residual catalyst, and proceeds through a radical chain reaction [2]. The earliest sign is usually a loss of elongation rather than of strength, so a tensile test on an aged specimen is more sensitive than a spectroscopic measurement [3]. Stabilisers act either by absorbing the ultraviolet light or by trapping the radicals, and the two mechanisms are combined in a commercial package [4]. Predicting a service life requires an accelerated test, and the extrapolation is valid only when the degradation mechanism is unchanged, which is rarely verified [5].
References
- Lecomte, H.A.; Liggat, J.J. Degradation mechanism of diethylene glycol units in a terephthalate polymer. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2006, 91, 681-689. [CrossRef]
- Lichtenstein, K.; Lavoine, N. Toward a deeper understanding of the thermal degradation mechanism of nanocellulose. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2017, 146, 53-60. [CrossRef]
- Baturina, E.P.; Kashin, A.M.; Morozova, S.M. Mini-review on degradation mechanism of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes induced by carboxylic end-groups. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2024, 227, 110857. [CrossRef]
- Ranucci, E.; Alongi, J. Redefining Stability in Cultural Heritage Through Polymer Design: From Conservation Strategies to Plastic Degradation. Polymers 2026, 18, 1783. [CrossRef]
- McNeill, I.; Leiper, H. Degradation studies of some polyesters and polycarbonates—2. Polylactide: Degradation under isothermal conditions, thermal degradation mechanism and photolysis of the polymer. Polymer Degradation and Stability 1985, 11, 309-326. [CrossRef]
