photodegrading
Light breaks it down
Photodegrading describes the process of breaking down through exposure to light, especially sunlight.
Materials that photodegrade—certain plastics, dyes, or chemicals—decompose when ultraviolet radiation weakens their molecular bonds: The packaging is designed to start photodegrading after six months of sun exposure.
The term appears most often in discussions of waste management and environmental science.
Molecular breakdown via light
- photochemicalCaused by light radiation
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
catalysis · free radical · chromophore · bond cleavage · wavelength
Radiance from our star
- solarOf the star
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- UV radiationInvisible high-energy light waves
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
humidity · marine debris · landfill · pollution · bioaccumulation
Altered surface pigmentation
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- chalkingApplying calcium carbite stick
fading · embrittlement · fragmentation · delamination · crazing · hazing · powdering · peeling
Large repeated-unit molecule
- plasticCapable of being molded
- textileMaterial from woven fibers
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- packagingProtective product enclosure
rubber · pigment · dye · coating · film · resin · nylon · polyethylene
Expected functional duration
- lightfastnessResistance to fading
- waste reductionDecreasing material for disposal
- sun protection factorUV-blocking strength measure
photolysis
Molecular breakdown via light
- photochemicalCaused by light radiation
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
hydrolysis · catalysis · free radical · chromophore · bond cleavage · wavelength
sunlight
Radiance from our star
- solarOf the star
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- UV radiationInvisible high-energy light waves
ozone · humidity · marine debris · landfill · pollution · bioaccumulation
discoloration
Altered surface pigmentation
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
chalking · fading · embrittlement · fragmentation · delamination · crazing · hazing · powdering · peeling
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
packaging · rubber · pigment · dye · coating · film · resin · nylon · polyethylene · polypropylene
service life
Expected functional duration
- lightfastnessResistance to fading
- waste reductionDecreasing material for disposal
- sun protection factorUV-blocking strength measure
photodegradingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
stabilizing · UV-resistant · lightfast · protecting · reinforcing
photodegradingbiodegrading
Breaking down naturally
oxidizing · corroding · eroding · hydrolyzing
photodegradingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
stabilizing · synthesizing · polymerizing · curing · crosslinking
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