Preferred Label : polymer degradation;
IUPAC definition : Chemical changes in a polymeric material that usually result in undesirable changes
in the in-use properties of the material.;
Scope note : usually, degradation results in the loss of, or deterioration in, useful properties
of the material. however, in the case of biodegradation (degradation by biological
activity), polymers may change into environmentally acceptable substances with desirable
properties.; in most cases (e.g., in vinyl polymers, polyamides) degradation is accompanied by
a decrease in molar mass. in some cases (e.g., in polymers with aromatic rings in
the main chain), degradation means changes in chemical structure. it can also be accompanied
by crosslinking.;
Origin ID : PT07144;
See also
Chemical changes in a polymeric material that usually result in undesirable changes
in the in-use properties of the material.
