Role of biodestruction by microscopic fungi in change of elastic-strength properties of polymers

The growth of microscopic fungi on polymer materials leads to the change in physico-mechanical properties of the latter. The extent and character of the property variation are determined by qualitative and quantitative compositions of fungi metabolites taking part in the process of biodegradation. In the present work, it was ascertained that the change of mechanical and dielectric properties of polyamides, polycaproamide fibers, silicate glass threads and rubber occurs in the process of their biodestruction and under the action of individual fungi metabolites. The change in the physico-imechanical characteristics of the polymer materials takes place before the growth of microorganisms on them becomes visible. The authors offer to regard the variation of the physico-mechanical properties as a principle criterion of the resistance of various polymer materials to biodamages induced by microscopic fungi.