Polymers and composites are omnipresent in our daily lives, enabling the lightening of structural materials and food packaging. Their performance not only depends on their chemical structure, synthesis, architecture and forming process, but also evolves over time under the effect of processes that modify – sometimes slowly but irreversibly – the structure of the material.

As a result, users need to consider the maximum duration of use during which these materials will retain acceptable levels of properties. This questioning is even more crucial as it responds to societal requirements linked to limiting end-of-life waste flows and preserving the resources necessary for their production.

Emmanuel Richaud is Professor in Arts et Métiers Sciences and Technologies, and Researcher in the Process and Engineering in Mechanics and Materials lab (PIMM), France. His research focuses on predicting the service life of polymer materials and composites.