DEGRADATION OF POLYMERS BY PHOTOOXIDATION

Most of the commercially important polymers are prone to deterioration caused by oxidation reactions. Formation and subsequent photolysis of hydroperoxides as key intermediates cause chain scission and transfor mation of the polymer's initial molecular structure. Suitable stabiliz ers are needed to impart to the polymer acceptable service life time. UV-absorbers, triplet quenchers, radical scavengers, and hydroperoxide decomposers fulfill these requirements.