Premium
Analysis of polymer parts: buried problems
Author(s) -
Walzak Mary Jane,
Bloomfield Heather
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.6332
Subject(s) - polycarbonate , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene , polymer , materials science , automotive industry , composite material , alloy , forensic engineering , engineering , aerospace engineering
The analysis of manufactured parts for the source of defects is challenging as these defects are often buried below the surface. An example of this type of problem is a defect that occurs in a molded and multilayered painted part. The automotive industry continues to increase the amount of plastics used in their vehicles in order to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiencies. The polymers are usually specified based on their mechanical properties as it is these properties that will dictate the effectiveness of the polymer in replacing a metal part. The paintability of the surface is often a secondary consideration. The polymer alloy of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene is used in some interior and exterior car components. This polymer alloy has a number of mechanical properties that make it attractive for use in automotive parts, however, variations in its domain structure can have an effect on its properties. The process of identifying the root cause of a defect occurring on a painted molded polycarbonate/acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene part will be examined. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.