Degradation studies of MYLAR

The rates of hydrolysis, oxidation and thermal degradation were studied as functions of temperature, relative humidity and film thickness. The rate of hydrolysis was found to be very much faster than the rates of the other two reactions. A relation between extent of chemical degradation and physical degradation has been established and the effect of both on electrical properties is shown. Using these data one may estimate the time required for the polymer to reach a given degree of degradation at any chosen temperature and relative humidity.