Stabilization of Polymeric Materials

1 Principles of Oxidative Degradation.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Autoxidation.- 1.3 Diffusion and Solubility of Oxygen in Polymers.- 1.4 Degradation of Polymers During Processing in the Melt.- 1.5 Upper Limit of Processing Temperature.- 1.6 Degradation of Polymers Under Long Term Thermal Conditions.- 1.7 Degradation of Polymers by Photooxidation.- 2 Principles of Stabilization.- 2.1 Stabilization Against Thermo-Oxidative Degradation.- 2.2 Stabilization Against Photooxidative Degradation.- Conclusions.- 3 Principles of Stabilization of Individual Substrates.- 3.1 Polyolefins.- 3.2 Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO).- 3.3 Elastomers.- 3.4 Styrenic Polymers.- 3.5 Polyesters.- 3.6 Polyamides.- 3.7 Polyacetals.- 3.8 Polycarbonates.- 3.9 Polyurethane.- 3.10 High Performance Engineering Thermoplastics.- 3.11 Polymer Blends and Alloys.- 4 Influence of Metals, Fillers and Pigments on Stability.- 4.1 Metal Ion Deactivators.- 4.2 Fillers.- 4.3 Pigments.- 5 Solubility and Diffusion of Stabilizers in Polymers.- 5.1 Solubility in Theory.- 5.2 Solubility in Practice.- Conclusions.- 5.3 Physical Loss of Stabilizers from Polymers Through Diffusion and Evaporation.- Conclusions.- Conclusions.- 5.4 Service Lifetime Predictions for Polymer End Use Applications.- 6 Testing of Stabilizers in the Substrate.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Testing of Melt Stability.- 6.3 Testing of Long Term Thermal Stability.- 6.4 Testing Light Stability of Polymers.- 6.5 Effect of Gamma Radiation on Polymers.- Conclusions.- 7 Outlook and Trends.- 7.1 New Substrates.- 7.2 Recycling of Polymers.- References.- Appendix 1.- List of Abbreviations and Symbols.- Chemical Symbols.- Physical Symbols.- Appendix 2.- Appendix 3.