Environmental Stability of Polymers

Polymers, the main ingredient of plastics, constitute the fastest-growing sector of materials—having been introduced only in this century. Their application, however, is plagued by inappropriate use and resulting premature failure. Conversely, polymers are also being attacked as indestructible contributors to the waste stream. Although objective discussion of their merits is complicated by the enormous financial interests involved, it is clear that their rapid use with a short-term experience base has led to many problems. On the positive side, they are amenable to good theoretical and experiential understanding because of the excellent organic and physical chemistry background underlying the field. Hence, we can expect to see even more widespread use of polymers and hopefully fewer problems, as our knowledge base grows, is disseminated, and is applied. This article will address the current field of polymer environmental stability and summarize a few select areas where major technical efforts are being directed.