DEGRADATION METHODS AND DEGRADATION KINETICS OF POLYMER-FILMS

Two accelerated degradation systems are described for the marine and s oil exposures of polymer films. The systems were designed to provide c ontrolled environments in which rates of degradation could be accelera ted. The goal in developing these systems was to provide a standardize d basis for comparing degradation kinetics of the films. Polymer film degradation kinetics are illustrated with two bacterial polyester copo lymers (8% valerate and 24% valerate in butyrate-co-valerate polyester polymers) and cellophane. Initial data on weight loss per surface are a, changes in molecular weight, and changes in mechanical properties o f the films are described. The long-term goals are to correlate this t ype of data to environmental exposure conditions and to polymer morpho logy and chemistry.