Microbial degradation of plastics

The corrosion caused in metals attacks the basic material, i.e. the metal, itself. Degradation of plastics is an effect caused by the attack on, or reaction with, the plasticiser which, in fact, becomes depleted. This results in an embrittlement or, at least, in a stiffening of the plastic material. Over the past 15–20 years, numerous investigations have been carried out into the behaviour of plastics in the presence of moulds and bacteria and, while the data obtained for individual materials may, quite naturally, vary, a definite pattern has emerged from these tests.