Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
In surface erosion, the polymer degrades from the exterior surface. The inside of the material does not degrade until all the surrounding material around it has been degraded. [1] In bulk erosion, degradation occurs throughout the whole material equally. Both the surface and the inside of the material degrade. [1]
These elementary chemical reactions lead more or less quickly to a deterioration of the physical properties of polymer materials and their precise analysis using infrared spectroscopy methods makes it possible both to understand the degradation mechanism and to make predictions about the long-term behavior of polymers.
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as quality of air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.
Biodeterioration is sometimes described as a surface-level degradation that modifies the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the material. This stage occurs when the material is exposed to abiotic factors in the outdoor environment and allows for further degradation by weakening the material's structure.
This method is used to evaluate the effects of moisture on material degradation, corrosion, swelling, and overall performance. [ 2 ] - For example, electronic devices undergo humidity testing to ensure their enclosures and seals can prevent moisture ingress, while construction materials such as wood or adhesives are tested to evaluate ...
Polymer degradation is the reduction in the physical properties of a polymer, such as strength, caused by changes in its chemical composition.Polymers and particularly plastics are subject to degradation at all stages of their product life cycle, including during their initial processing, use, disposal into the environment and recycling. [1]
By comparison the dependence of degradation rate on UV exposure and the availability of oxygen is broadly linear. As the oceans are cooler than land plastic pollution in the marine environment degrades more slowly. [40] [41] Materials buried in landfill do not degrade by photo-oxidation at all, though they may gradually decay by other processes.
Another key focus of conservation science is studying the degradation or deterioration mechanism of objects. Using chemical analysis, conservation scientists can determine the underlying material processes (i.e. aging and chemical reactions), risk factors, and environmental conditions causing the objects to degrade. [3]