Antioxidants protect polymers from thermal and oxidative degradation during processing and throughout their service life. Heat, oxygen, and shear during extrusion or molding can break polymer chains, leading to discoloration, brittleness, and loss of mechanical strength. Antioxidants interrupt this degradation by neutralizing free radicals or decomposing peroxides.
They are essential in nearly all plastic processing—packaging, automotive, construction, and medical applications. Primary antioxidants (radical scavengers) and secondary antioxidants (peroxide decomposers) are often used together. Their key advantage is extending both processing stability and long-term durability, reducing scrap rates and improving product lifespan.