Term: polymer degradation
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.PT07144

Definition:
Chemical changes in a polymeric material that usually result in undesirable changes in the in-use properties of the material.

Notes:
0) In most cases (e.g., in vinyl polymers, polyamides) degradation is accompanied by a decrease in molar mass. In some cases (e.g., in polymers with aromatic rings in the main chain), degradation means changes in chemical structure. It can also be accompanied by @CT07136@.
1) Usually, degradation results in the loss of, or deterioration in, useful properties of the material. However, in the case of @B00656@ (degradation by biological activity), polymers may change into environmentally acceptable substances with desirable properties.

Related Terms:
1) crosslinking (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.CT07136).
2) biodegradation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00656).
3) polymeric (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03667).

Source: PAC, 2004, 76, 889. 'Definitions of terms relating to reactions of polymers and to functional polymeric materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2003)' on page 893 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200476040889)

Citation: 'polymer degradation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.PT07144

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