Structure vs stability in polymer degradation

Abstract All materials are subject to aging, a process of long‐term degradation, but not at the same rate or affected in the same manner. The wide variation in susceptibility (or resistance) of polymers to various degradative agents, e.g., oxidative, thermal, mechanical, chemical, biological, depend on their chemical composition and structure. Accordingly, the chemical, physical, and energy considerations inherent in the pure polymer are discussed in relation to degradative stability.