AbstractBy incorporating the spectroscopic techniques of reflection‐absorption and internal reflection in the infrared region, we have been able to define and characterize overall chemical changes occurring at a metal‐polymer interface. Our initial studies have concentrated on the oxidative degradation of metal‐polymer systems. These systems are of particular importance because of the common need to retard the metal‐catalyzed degradation of the polymer. Preliminary results for copper‐polyethylene interfaces, models for polyolefin‐insulated cable, have shown the copper surface to be the site of the initial catalysis in the oxidation of the polyethylene. When copper deactivators are added to inhibit the oxidation, initial reactions between the copper surface and the inhibitor can be seen. The importance of these surface reactions highlights the necessity for studying th