The prediction of the long‐term photoageing of solid polymers

A “mechanistic” approach for the prediction of the fate of solid polymeric material ageing outdoors based on artificial accelerated photoageing experiments is proposed. This methodology requires the definition of relevant experimental conditions and the control, at the molecular scale, of the chemical evolution of the polymer sample. Relevancy criteria are discussed and the chemical evolutions of polyolefins homopolymers and copolymers are described as examples of mechanistic control.