Publisher's Synopsis
Polymers play a vital role in manufacturing processes of many kinds, and the development of new polymeric materials is of increasing importance in the field of materials science. Because of this, there is a need to understand why the properties of polymers change, what can be done to avoid degradation and failure, and how performance can be maintained over a much longer lifespan.
The authors deal firstly with the process of degradation through oxidation, and then explain how the addition of various antioxidants can inhibit or retard this process. They present a unique discussion of the physico-chemical aspects, particularly the chemical kinetics of antioxidant action and of branched chain reaction kinetics, and the theory of critical phenomena inhibited oxidation. The last part of the book offers practical advice on methods of oxidation investigation, on selection of appropriate antixodants, and on the basic principles of performance prognosis. The book also includes a unique coverage of the regularities of additive solubility.
