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Kinetics of polymer failure at moderate and low temperatures
Author(s) -
Slutsker A. I.,
Veliev T. M.,
Alieva I. K.,
Abasov S. A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
makromolekulare chemie. macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 0258-0322
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19910410110
Subject(s) - tetrafluoroethylene , quantum tunnelling , materials science , polymer , fracture (geology) , polyethylene , electron , rectangular potential barrier , composite material , polymer chemistry , physics , copolymer , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics
The time of expectation for breakdown (life‐time, τ) was measured as a function of temperature (T) and tensile stress (σ) for a variety of polymers, including nylon‐6, polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene). At moderate temperatures (above ∼200 K), the τ(1/T) σ dependences are exponential (of the Boltzmann‐Frenkel type). The elementary acts of polymer fracture occur at these temperatures through the thermal‐fluctuation above‐barrier transitions. At low temperatures (below ∼200 K), τ is T‐independent (an athermic plateau) and, therefore, the above‐barrier mechanism is ruled out. It is concluded that the elementary acts of fracture proceed at low temperatures via the tunnel below‐barrier mechanism. Possible types of tunnel processes (tunneling of atoms or electrons) are discussed.