Method of cleaning of components to which polymers are bonded

Process for removing macromolecular material from components to which the material to be removed is intimately bonded, with the components being subjected to a pyrolytic treatment, comprising the steps of:

• subjecting a component with material to be removed to a treatment for structural cleavage of the material, by which a fluid is brought into contact and reacted with the material to be removed, with the fluid splitting the macromolecules of the material into smaller molecules while forming a flowable medium, said medium containing a product of this treatment for structural cleavage and the material with the fluid;
• separating the flowable medium from the component by allowing it to run off the component;
• and
• subjecting the component to a pyrolytic treatment at a temperature between approximately 400.degree. C. to 530.degree. C. and in a presence of a radical-forming agent, where said pyrolytic treatment temperature is at least 70.degree. C. higher than the temperature of said fluid which is brought into contact and reacted with said material to be removed, so that material still present on the component is pyrolyzed.