Degradable polymers

The degradation of polymers is an important part of modern polymer technology. At times when concern for the environment is great and basic knowledge of polymer chemistry allows the designing of new interesting materials with unique characteristics, there are many applications where the degradation process of the polymer must be known. Many of the traditional bulk polymers are quite resistant towards environmental degradation, but different modifications can render the materials susceptible to, for example, photo–oxidation and biodegradation.