Hydrolytic degradation aging mechanism

Abstract The chemical and biochemical degradation and calcification are investigated as processes that alter the physical and mechanical properties of implanted polymers. The principles of oxidative, hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation and calcification of polymers in the body are discussed and the natural ageing of polymers in vivo and in vitro and the accelerated ageing of polymers are examined. The use of accelerated ageng is described as a method to predict changes in the physical and mechanical properties of polymers in vivo. 

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