Which term denotes the deteriorative processes in polymeric materials, including swelling, dissolution, and chain scission?

• A. Degradation
• B. Corrosion
• C. Wear
• D. Fatigue

Answer: (A)

Deterioration of polymers under environmental and chemical influences is called degradation. This term covers changes in a polymer’s chemistry or structure that reduce its properties, such as chain scission lowering molecular weight, and physical changes like swelling or dissolution due to solvent uptake. In contrast, corrosion mainly describes metal reactions, wear refers to material loss from frictional contact, and fatigue is failure from repeated cyclic loading. So swelling, dissolution, and chain scission are all examples of degradation in polymers.