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Environmental stress cracking in impact polystyrene
Author(s) -
Bubeck R. A.,
Arends C. B.,
Hall E. L.,
Sande J. B. Vander
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760211009
Subject(s) - materials science , environmental stress cracking , composite material , polystyrene , cracking , plasticizer , stress (linguistics) , particle size , polymer , chemical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , alloy , stress corrosion cracking , engineering
Abstract Environmental stress cracking (ESC) measurements for various impact polystyrenes were performed using a constant load technique with the specimens in contact with a 50/50 solution of cotton seed oil and oleic acid. It was shown that ESC in impact polystyrene is controlled by the transport of the aggressive liquid through a pre‐established dry craze structure where capillary pressure is the driving force. At moderate stress levels just above the critical stress for environmental cracking, there is an apparent incubation time for the dry craze formation. The craze incubation time is strongly influenced by thermal stresses induced by the gel particles. As a consequence, ESC is two‐stage process involving both an incubation time and actual crack growth. Control of the craze structure to maximize fibril content is essential for good ESC resistance. The craze fibril content can be altered by variables such as gel particle size, matrix molecular weight, plasticizer content, and rubber content.