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autoxidation

autoxidation

9.9
Reaction of a substance with oxygen in the air that makes it break down or spoil
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːtəʊˈzɪdeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : autoxidación
  • The autoxidation of fats can lead to rancidity.

Examples

  • The food industry studies autoxidation to prevent spoilage of oils and fats.

  • Paints can lose their color over time due to autoxidation when exposed to sunlight and air.

  • Prolonged air exposure led to visible cracking as autoxidation weakened the polymer's surface.

  • Many oils undergo autoxidation when exposed to air.

  • The food industry studies autoxidation to prevent spoilage of oils and fats.

  • Paints can lose their color over time due to autoxidation when exposed to sunlight and air.

  • Prolonged air exposure led to visible cracking as autoxidation weakened the polymer's surface.

Synonyms

corrosion
vsautoxidation
  • Specialized
21 6.1

Slow damage to metal caused by air or water

is a reaction of substances with oxygen from the air, not only metals
oxidization
vsautoxidation
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A process when something combines with oxygen and changes, for example iron turning to rust

is about reaction specifically with oxygen from the air causing material deterioration
peroxidation
vsautoxidation
  • Specialized
1 8.8

When fats or oils react with oxygen they break down and can damage cells

is broader, applying to many substances reacting with air
photooxidation
vsautoxidation
  • Specialized
9.0

A reaction where light, especially sunlight, makes a material react with air and change or get damaged

is driven by oxygen from the air rather than triggered by light

Antonyms

28 3.9

Making something steady so it is less likely to change

Surface Forms

autoxidation singular
autoxidations plural

Morphology

autoxidation = oxidation (semi-transparent) = auto + oxid + ation

The meaning is fairly clear from 'auto-' plus the chemical base 'oxidation', but the term belongs to specialized scientific vocabulary.

Etymology

Autoxidation combines auto- ('self') and oxidation ('reaction with oxygen'). So autoxidation is when something reacts with the air on its own and slowly changes or spoils, like oils going bad, metal rusting, or paint fading.