1. TechniquesGives useful information on IR and Fourier transform IR (FT IR) spectroscopy ATR (attenuated total reflectance )- IR spectroscopy Measurement of carbonyl absorption to determine photooxidation; determination of induction period, assesment of the effectiveness and buildup of hydroperoxides, chmeical composition of degradation products Diseappearance of bands at 3400 and 1700 Cm -1, new bands at 2100 and 1640 cm -1 Translation into Chemistry: -NH-CO- bonds are converted to –NH-CO-NH and –N=C=N-

2. Carbonyl Index-Impact strength Carbonyl group can be readily monitored by IR Spec. (1710-35 cm -1 )

3. UV spectroscopy Weathering effects on plastics in the form of chemical changes, discoloration, and darkening.

4. ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis)

5. ESR (electron spin resonance spectroscopy) Formation and rate growth of free radicals NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) Measurement of degradation induced changes in functional groups

6. Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) Separation and identification of volatile degradation products in trace amount

8. DTA (differential thermal analysis) and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) Measurement of oxidation induction times to study a stabilizer’s effectiveness and its diffusion within the solid

9. Thermal behavior of polymers give useful information for the mechanism of Polymer degradation