Answer to Question #51577 in Solid State Physics for JUGNU

Question

What is polymer degradation?

Answer 1

Polymer degradation is a change in the properties - tensile strength, color, shape, etc - of a polymer or polymer based product under the influence of one or more environmental factors such as heat, light or chemicals. These changes may be undesirable, such as changes during use, or desirable, as in biodegradation or deliberately lowering the molecular weight of a polymer. Such changes occur primarily because of the effect of these factors on the chemical composition of the polymer. In a finished product such a change is to be prevented or delayed. However the degradation process can be useful from the view points of understanding the structure of a polymer or recycling/reusing the polymer waste to prevent or reduce environmental pollution.