In this article we present the results of time-of-flight mass spectrometry of volatile products formed during the electrical breakdown of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene polymer films in high vacuum. During the breakdown of films, all the substance emitted from the breakdown channel is a gas of low-molecular products of destruction of macromolecules. The breakdown mass spectra do not contain lines of carbon molecules, the presence of which could indicate carbonation of the channel. To explain the formation of charge carriers, the ionization mechanism of destruction of macromolecules in an electric field is used without the involvement of impact ionization. The final stage of electrical breakdown (the flow of a high-density conduction current) occurs when the critical concentration of traps and electrons ~1024 m-3 is reached. Keywords: electrical breakdown, mass spectrometry, thermodestruction, ionization, macromolecule, trap.

The formation of decomposition products of macromolecules was found upon friction of polyoxymethylene against polyoxymethylene in the vacuum of mass-spectrometer . Their composition is shown to be different from that of the products of thermal decomposition of polyoxymethylene. It is shown that the formation of decomposition products is accompanied by the transition of the friction force from low to high level. The effect has been interpreted by the mechanical rupture of macromolecules upon friction. Quantitative parameters of the process have been discussed. Keywords: friction, mass-spectrometry, polymer, vacuum.

The analysis of the ultraviolet induced transformation of the thermal decomposition spectra of the monomer of the submicrometer layers of polymethylmethacrylate and its composite with fullerene C60 for different fullerene concentrations and irradiation doses has been carried out. Formation of the new decomposition stages in the spectra has been interpreted by the binding between C60 and side ester groups of polymethylmethacrylate. Keywords: polymethylmethacrylate, fullerene, ultraviolet irradiation, thermal decomposition, mass-spectrometry.