polymer degradation

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.PT07144
Chemical changes in a @M03667@ material that usually result in undesirable changes in the in-use properties of the material.
Notes:
  1. 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 @CT07136@.
  2. Usually, degradation results in the loss of, or deterioration in, useful properties of the material. However, in the case of @B00656@ (degradation by biological activity), polymers may change into environmentally acceptable substances with desirable properties.
Source:
PAC, 2004, 76, 889. (Definitions of terms relating to reactions of polymers and to functional polymeric materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2003)) on page 893 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'polymer degradation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 3rd ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2006. Online version 3.0.1, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.PT07144 RIS BibTex EndNote
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Last revised: February 24, 2014