Polymer/Biopolymer Stabilization and Degradation

Dear Colleagues,

Due to their structures, the polymeric materials used in various application areas are characterized by limited stability during exposure to an environment. Therefore, their specific properties decline during long-term exploitation. Conditions such as processing, storage, and service conditions also add structural imperfections that contribute to the lowering of the material’s lifetime. Accurate results from weathering tests must be obtained by the manufacturers, since the lifetime and extent of an application depend on molecular modifications. Polymer degradation occurs through bond cleavage, radical diffusion, oxidation, and crosslinking. The main factors that contribute synergistically to polymer degradation are heat, light (especially in the UV region), humidity, microorganisms, pollutants, and mechanical charge. Environmental factors must be correlated with the material’s structure. Laboratory-accelerated and field tests take place similarly but not identically in polymers. The main difference between the two procedures resides in the concentrations of radicals and their migration in the material bulk. The diffusion of free radicals is influenced by such factors as bond strength, morphology, molecular weight distribution, crosslinking degree, crystallinity, inorganic filler(s), stabilizers, mechanical charge, processing conditions, and sample history. The planning of laboratory and field testing of polymers may be designed in combination with the various factors taken into account. This Topic Collection is concerned with the thermal, photochemical, and microbiological behavior of polymer-based materials. We hope to share new concepts related to the behavior of polymeric materials under environmental factors, both under laboratory and outdoor exposure conditions. In this way, we seek to bring new insights into the different degradation mechanisms of polymers. Both original research papers and review articles are welcome.

Dr. Dan Rosu
Dr. Cristian–Dragos Varganici
Collection Editors

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