The oxidative and thermal degradation of polymers has very important implications on their suitability for particular end-user applications. Particularly in relation to their physical properties and the lifetime over which the manufactured article retains these properties, after which they become unsuitable for purpose. Correct selection of polymer type, the method of manufacture and the addition of chemicals that slow down the polymer degradation means that manufactured articles can be produced which have suitable processing and end-user physical properties such as tensile strength and avoidance of embrittlement. Particular applications which come to mind are critical applications of polymers to the manufacture of electronic components and the design of polymeric alloys for aircraft fuselage assembly which retain their properties for many years over which the alloy must retain the physical properties at high or low operating temperatures. A particular area of growing importance is...