Biodeterioration of plastics

The deterioration of plastics by biological agents of considerable concern not only to the U. S. Department of Defense but to the national economy as a whole. Although the importance of the subject was recognized by some since the early days of the plastics industry, widespread investigation first began during World War II when serious problems were encountered in the tropics with electrical and electronic equipment. In the recent past the great developments in oceanography have emphasized that marine biodeterioration of plastics requires much more investigation. Biodeterioration of plastics is characterized according to that caused by microbiological agents, macrobiological agents, and marine biological agents. the important past and recent knowledge in each category is summarized.