Fundamentals Of Polymer Degradation And Stabilization

During the past decade, the field of polymer degradation and stabilization has become a subject of central importance in polymer science and technology. This book provides a fundamental source of information designed for those with only a basic understanding of the background of the field.

The study of polymer degradation and stabilisation is of considerable practical importance as the industrial uses of polymeric materials continue to expand. In this book, the authors lucidly relate technological phenomena to the chemistry and physics of degradation and stabilisation processes. Degradation embraces a variety of technologically important phenomena ranging from relatively low temperature processes such as 'weathering' of plastics, 'fatigue' of rubbers through the processing of polymers in shearing mixers to very high temperature processes such as flammability and ablation. All these technological phenomena have in common certain basic chemical reactions. Thus 'weathering' has its roots in photo-oxidation, 'fatigue' and melt-degradation in mechano-oxidation and flammability, and ablation in ablation in pyrolysis and vapour phase oxidation.

The development of polymers as an important class of material was inhibited at the first by the premature failure of these versatile compounds in many applications. The deterioration of important properties of both natural and synthetic polymers is the result of irreversible changes in composition and structure of polymers molecules. As a result of these reactions, mechanical, electrical and/or aesthetic properties are degraded beyond acceptable limits. It is now generally recognized that stabilization against degradation is necessary if the useful life of polymers is to be extended sufficiently to meet design requirements for long-term applications. Polymers degrade by a wide variety of mechanisms, several of which affect all polymers through to varying degree. This monograph will concentrate on those degradation mechanisms which result from reactions of polymers with oxygen in its various forms and which are accelerated by heat and/or radiation. Those stabilization mechanisms are discussed which are based on an understanding of degradation reaction mechanisms that are reasonably well established. The stabilization of polymers is still undergoing a transition from an art to a science as mechanisms of degradation become more fully developed. A scientific approach to stabilization can only be approached when there is an understanding of the reactions that lead to degradation. Stabilization against biodegradation and burning will not be discussed since there is not a clear understanding of how polymers degrade under these conditions.

This useful reference provides up-to-date coverage, from both the engineering and scientific viewpoints, of the most recent findings in the expanding field of polymer degradation and stabilization - including areas in which polymers have only recently been used and detailed information has not previously been available. as advanced material for more in-depth study, Handbook of Polymer Degradation: introduces new data on the effects of increased UV radiation on polymers and discusses how to decrease those effects; considers artificially accelerated weathering and its relationship with natural weather; examines weathering degradation of polyethylene with the relevant experimental results; emphasizes the environmental aspects and waste management of polymers; and combines insights on the environmental toxicology of plastics with a survey of current legislative issues. different parts of the world, Handbook of Polymer Degradation is an essential reference for chemical, polymer, environmental, pollution control, mechanical, and materials scientists and engineers; chemists; environmental regulators and policy makers; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.