Page "Forensic chemistry" Paragraph 16

Most step-growth polymers can suffer hydrolysis in the presence of water, often a reaction catalysed by acid or alkali.

Nylon for example, will degrade and crack rapidly if exposed to strong acids, a phenomenon well known to those who accidentally spill acid onto their shirts or tights.

Polycarbonate is susceptible to alkali hydrolysis, the reaction simply depolymerising the material.

Polyesters are prone to degrade when treated with strong acids, and, in all these cases, care must be taken to dry the raw materials for processing at high temperatures to prevent the problem from occurring.