WEATHERING OF POLYMERS - MECHANISMS OF DEGRADATION AND STABILIZATION,TESTING STRATEGIES AND MODELING

The weathering of polymers is reviewed with attention concentrated on the mechanisms of degradation and stabilization, the methods of testin g weatherability, and the predictive modelling of weathering behaviour . An introduction to the chemical mechanisms of degradation and stabil ization is given and reference made to some of the many reviews availa ble in the literature. Significant emphasis is placed here on engineer ing aspects, such as the way that weathering influences fracture mecha nisms. The difficulties associated with relating accelerated laborator y tests with outdoor service behaviour are discussed. The complexities of the degradation processes limit modelling of the rate of degradati on to rather specific systems and the predictions cannot be generalize d.