Phase Separation and Interfacial Failure

The degradation of a polymer system can take place withont changing the structure of the whole polymer. The two common cases are where one component of a homogeneous mixture is extracted and where components of a heterogeneous assembly delaminate. 

Mechanical stresses often induce delamination. A tensile stress in loaded rubber may tear polymer from filler, leaving vacuoles (Section 10.9). Constant flexing of a conveyor belt or a tire may pull rubber from the fibrous reinforcement. 

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