Environmental Stress Crack Testing of Plastics

Environmental Stress Crack Testing of Plastics

Environmental Stress Crack Resistance or ESCR is a very important quality feature which is needed in the polymer industry for its long life expectancy. It is one of the most usual factor where you can see a brittle product failure in thermoplastic products which is unexpected. Environmental stress cracking is so common that it may be the reason of 15-30% of distinct types of polymer part failures in their applications. Therefore, examining plastics for its ESCR is a very important in polymer manufacturing industry using ESCR Tester.

All about Stress Cracking in Polymers

 

It has been defined in multiple testing standards about the true meaning of the cracks appearing in plastic. It is said that the cracks which are generated either inside or outside the material composed of plastic is due to the stress experienced by the polymer. This type of cracks are usually generated with brittle cracks having less or zero ductile properties. A very slow growth exceeds in the cracks is another term which is utilized to define the stress cracking in polymers.

When there is no surface active agents around, these type of fractures do not happen on polymers. This capability of a polymer testing sample is generated in order to exhibit resistance against the slow growing cracks or environmental stress cracking which is famously termed as Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR).

Why is it vital to conduct an accurate ESCR Testing?

Well this test is important so that the manufacturers can assure their product quality in market and to the customers. It is vital so that the product can meet the customer satisfaction level. The Stress cracking can often lead to failure or sometimes breakdown of plastic materials. One need to be very safe while producing the plastic parts, and conduct constant testing check on the as well.