Abstract
The experimental results in the field of the mechanodegradation of polymers, indicating significant differences between this process and thermal degradation, are discussed; the mechanism of both processes have been subjected to a comparative analysis. The principal results obtained by the method of molecular dynamics in the study of related processes such as mechanodegradation and the effect of shock waves are examined. Attention is concentrated on the mechanisms of ruptures, the formation of excited low-molecular-weight products, and the process energetics. The prospects for further research are discussed.
The bibliography includes 30 references.