BIOLOGICAL DAMAGE OF SYNTHETIC POLYMER MATERIALS AND WAYS OF PROTECTION AGAINST THEM

Аннотация

The article discusses the problems of biological damage and protection of synthetic polymer materials. The possibility of biodegradation of the main components of plastics is studied and substantiated. Methods of stabilizing polymers from biological damage processes are studied and thenecessary proposals are made. Keywords: biological damage, damage, plasticizer, synthetic polymers, damage, stabilization, components of polymer materials. Synthetic polymeric materials are widely used in almost all areas of science and technology, in industry, construction, agriculture, etc. In addition to polymers, plastics contain fillers, plasticizers, dyes, stabilizers and other additives. In previous works, general issues of biological damage to various non-food products and theirprotection were considered. Synthetic polymers are more resistant to damage by microorganisms than natural high-molecular compounds. The polymer chain of the macromolecule of synthetic high-molecular compounds is more resistant to direct absorption by bacteria or fungi. However, in some cases they are also damaged bymicroorganisms. Polymers can also be damaged by insects and rodents. Biological damage to plastics by insects and rodents is manifested in direct mechanical damage to individual parts, protective coatings and packaging materials. Damage to plastic packaging and subsequent settlement and reproduction of insects and rodents can occur in parts of devices and mechanisms that are difficult for humans to access, but can serve as a safe ecological niche for animals. The accumulation of animals and their metabolites in critical areas ofelectrical installationshas repeatedly caused short circuits and othermalfunctions. Most often, damage is caused by fungi of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Trichoderma, Rhizopus,etc. Mold fungi cause chemical (metabolites) and mechanical (contamination, growth of mycelial hyphae in the thickness of the material) damage to materials. The main chemical products of fungal metabolism, which damage synthetic polymeric materials by chemical damage (hydrolysis, oxidation, etc.) of polymer macromolecules or low molecular weight components (fillers, plasticizers, etc.), are extracellular enzymes and organic acids. Microorganisms and metabolites, in addition to purely chemical degradation (damage) of polymeric materials, can also cause changes in their physicochemical and electrophysical properties as a result of swelling and cracking. The result of damage (deterioration) of the decorative and other external qualities of polymeric materials due to corrosion, fading and other external influences is the appearance of mold spots, which can lead to some degree of preservation of the functionality of the product. The development of mold on the surface of the polymer contributes to the condensation of atmospheric water vapor, the accumulation of moisture, and this condition itself can have an undesirable effect on the change in the properties of the polymer material. As a result of the chemical interaction of the metabolic products of microorganisms with the auxiliary components of the polymer or synthetic material, some of the physicomechanical properties of the material can change. Materials that are not resistant to fungi can have reduced strength, flexibility, dielectric properties, deteriorateelectrical insulationproperties, change thecolor ofpainted surfaces, etc. 87 INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SJIF2019:5.2222020:5.5522021:5.6372022:5.4792023:6.5632024:7,805 eISSN:2394-6334 https://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd Volume12,issue03(2025) Bacteria can cause less damage to plastics, but their impact can be very significant. In some cases, their presence is difficult to notice with the naked eye. Damage can also be assessed by the appearance offoreign odor, color, mucus, etc. Bacteria of various genera and species (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, etc.) participate in the biodegradation ofplastics. Bacteria adapt to synthetic polymers and break down high-molecular compounds of different chemical compositioninto low-molecular fractions using various enzymes and metabolicproducts. Biological degradation of plastics, like other materials, usually occurs simultaneously with their aging under the influence of external physical and chemical environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, humidity, temperature changes, etc.). Both processes - biological damage and aging - complement and enhance each other. Damage toplastics depends not only on the type and genus of microorganisms that act on them. The degree of damage to plastics is affected by the chemical structure of the polymer, its physical structure, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution of fractions, the presence and composition ofplasticizers, fillers, stabilizers and otheradditives. There is a certain relationship between the degree of biodegradability of a polymer and its chemical structure. Biologi