The use of mechanical forces to chemically transform polymers dates back decades. In recent years, the use of mechanochemistry to direct constructive transformations in polymers has resulted in a range of engineered molecular responses that span optical, mechanical, electronic and thermal properties. The chemistry that has been developed is now well positioned for use in materials science, polymer physics, mechanics and additive manufacturing. Here, we review the historical backdrop of polymer mechanochemistry, give an overview of the existing toolbox of mechanophores and associated theoretical methods, and speculate as to emerging opportunities in materials science for which current capabilities are seemingly well suited. Non-linear mechanical responses and internal, amplifying stimulus–response feedback loops, including those enabled by, or coupled to, microstructured metamaterial architectures, are seen as particularly promising.

使用机械力对聚合物进行化学转化可以追溯到几十年前。近年来，使用机械化学方法指导聚合物中的结构转变已导致一系列工程分子响应，这些响应涉及光学，机械，电子和热学性质。现在已经开发出的化学材料非常适合在材料科学，聚合物物理学，力学和增材制造中使用。在这里，我们回顾了高分子机械化学的历史背景，概述了现有的机械体工具箱以及相关的理论方法，并推测了材料科学中新兴的机会，这些能力似乎非常适合。非线性机械响应和内部放大的刺激-响应反馈回路，包括由