Aging and Degradation of Polymer Blends

The selection of polymers and polymer blends for use as specific materials requires the consideration of how these will withstand the environmental conditions to which these will be subjected. The long term stability of a polymer will depend on its aging characteristics both physical and chemical. 

The external effects of the environment on polymer blends are chemical in nature, and normally lead to degradation of the polymers. Chain scission, depolymerization and reactions on the side-chain substituents all contribute to overall deterioration of blend properties. These are described for blends containing polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylics and polyolefins mixed with a variety of other polymers. The general feamres of radiation damage and the detrimental effects of processing are reviewed. 

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Cowie, J. M. G., McEwen, 1. J., and McIntyre, R., Aging and degradation of polymer blends, in Polymer Bleruis Handbook, Vol. 2, Ulracki, L. A., Ed., Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2002. 

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