Which mechanism increases brittleness when specific polymers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation?

💡 Explanation

When polymers absorb UV radiation, photochemical reactions trigger chain scission because high energy photons break covalent bonds in the polymer backbone, reducing molecular weight and flexibility facilitating crack propagation. Therefore chain scission increases brittleness, rather than increased crystallinity, plasticizer loss, or cross-linking depending on polymer composition and radiation mechanism.

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