Polymer Degradation and Stability

Aims & Scope

Polymer Degradation and Stability deals with the degradation reactions and their control which are a major preoccupation of practitioners of the many and diverse aspects of modern polymer technology.

Deteriorative reactions occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress, and during the useful life of the materials when oxygen and sunlight are the most important degradative agencies.

In more specialised applications, degradation may be induced by high energy radiation, ozone, atmospheric pollutants, mechanical stress, biological action, hydrolysis and many other influences.

The mechanisms of these reactions and stabilisation processes must be understood if the technology and application of polymers are to continue to advance.

The reporting of investigations of this kind is therefore a major function of this journal.

However there are also new developments in polymer technology in which degradation processes find positive applications.

For example, photodegradable plastics are now available, the recycling of polymeric products will become increasingly important, degradation and combustion studies are involved in the definition of the fire hazards which are associated with polymeric materials and the microelectronics industry is vitally dependent upon polymer degradation in the manufacture of its circuitry.

Polymer properties may also be improved by processes like curing and grafting, the chemistry of which can be closely related to that which causes physical deterioration in other circumstances.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	7.4

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.237

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	200

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Engineering, Materials Science and Physics and Astronomy, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Mechanistic implications of plastic degradation

  Citation: 1296

  Authors: Baljit, Nisha

• A review of heat treatment on polyacrylonitrile fiber

  Citation: 1265

  Authors: M.S.A., A.F., A.

• Large-scale production, properties and commercial applications of polylactic acid polymers

  Citation: 1144

  Authors: James

• Applications of life cycle assessment to NatureWorksâ„¢ polylactide (PLA) production

  Citation: 904

  Authors: Erwin T.H., Karl R., David A., Patrick R.

• Biodegradable polymer matrix nanocomposites for tissue engineering: A review

  Citation: 861

  Authors: I., M., E., S., J.M.

• Improvement of thermal stability, rheological and mechanical properties of PLA, PBAT and their blends by reactive extrusion with functionalized epoxy

  Citation: 764

  Authors: Racha, Khalid, Abderrahim

• Thermal decomposition kinetics of natural fibers: Activation energy with dynamic thermogravimetric analysis

  Citation: 735

  Authors: Fei, Qinglin, Yong, Weihong, Yanjun

• Chemical, structural, and thermal characterizations of alkali-soluble lignins and hemicelluloses, and cellulose from maize stems, rye straw, and rice straw

  Citation: 695

  Authors: B, X.F, RunCang

• Processing of poly(lactic acid): Characterization of chemical structure, thermal stability and mechanical properties

  Citation: 597

  Authors: F., P., J., O.O., M.L.

• Processability and properties of aliphatic polyesters, ‘BIONOLLE’, synthesized by polycondensation reaction

  Citation: 583

  Authors: Takashi

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