There are several ways to break bonds in a polymer, each with its own name:

* Hydrolysis: Breaking bonds with water.

* Oxidation: Breaking bonds with oxygen.

* Thermal degradation: Breaking bonds with heat.

* Photodegradation: Breaking bonds with light.

* Chemical degradation: Breaking bonds with specific chemicals.

* Mechanical degradation: Breaking bonds through physical force (e.g., grinding, milling).

So, while "polymer degradation" is a general term, the specific name of the process depends on the mechanism involved.