The Biological Stability of Polymers

Abstract

The easy biodegradeability of natural polymers is essential to the cyclic life processes. The products of their degradation carbon dioxide, water and minerals are utilized by plants during photosynthesis to produce the sugars and starches which are converted to carbohydrates, fats, proteins and other complex compounds necessary to maintain life. While almost all of the synthetic polymers are classified as “Resistant”, it should be noted that, unlike the natural products whose identity is lost through biodeterioration, the biological stability of synthetic polymers is measured by changes in some physical, chemical or electrical properly.