Bulk degradation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001533",
  "term": "Bulk degradation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A process where a polymeric material degrades uniformly throughout its entire volume, rather than just from the surface. This occurs when the rate of water penetration into the polymer matrix is faster than the rate of polymer hydrolysis. Polylactic acid is an example of a polymer that undergoes bulk degradation.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "degradation",
    "erosion"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 377. 'Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 385 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-10-12-04)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/bulk-degradation/"
}