STABILIZATION OF POLYMERS FROM THE INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL MEDIA - KINETIC METHOD OF BIOCIDE EFFICIENCY ESTIMATION

We show the value of application of kinetic methods for the estimation of biocide activity. We have developed methods of quantitative estima tion of biocide efficiency independent of their solubility in water. I t is found that inhibited kinetics of microscopic fungal growth on nut riments with biocides is described by a logistic equation. We suggest parameters for the characterization of biocide efficiency. It was foun d in an investigation of the connection between aging and the biodeter ioration processes that: (1) Metabolites of Aspergillus niger microsco pic fungus may physically influence the material. This process may pro ceed during short exposure times, when the concentration of organic ac ids is low and their diffusion in the material is practically absent. (2) In the case of microorganism influence on a polymer, chemical reac tions follow a random law and lead to the decrease of important proper ties. Degradation products formed during aging facilitate the growth o f microorganisms. (3) The kinetics of microorganism growth on polymers with different degrees of aging is described by the same functional d ependence, i.e. the macrokinetic regularities of polymer overgrowth do not depend on aging.