Reducing Environmental Stress Cracking in Plastic Parts

Around 25% of plastic part failures in the industry are related to Environmental stress cracking (ESC). Practically, it’s theleading cause of failure. ESC is often due to the combination of multiple factors (material, design, processing, in-use). You choose a wrong factor to focus on & you will find your entire time wasted! Reduce the occurrence of Environmental Stress Cracking in your plastic parts by joining Jeffrey (performed >1470 failure investigations). He will help you to:

1. Get a grip on ESC by understanding itsunderlying mechanisms(ductile overload, creep model) &性能影响因素(materials, design..)
2. Better prevent ESC withpractical considerationsderived from Jeff Jansen’s own experience (polymers, chemicals & situations with highest risk)
3. Assess confidently whether your material is prone to ESC by usingmost suited test methods(ASTM D543, ASTM D1693..)

Design Engineers, Failure Analysts, Quality Engineersat Material Suppliers/ Plastic parts manufacturers who need to better understand ESC analysis to gain competitive advantage

The following sections will be covered during this session:

1. Introduction to ESC (5 min)
   • Plastics Failure Mechanism
   • ESC Failure Mechanism


2. Why do Plastic parts crack? (5 min)
   • Ductile Overload Cracking Model
   • Ductile to Brittle Transition


3. Elements of prediction of ESC (10 min)
   • Some generalizations regarding families of plastics & the environment


4. Practical considerations to reduce ESC occurrence (10 min)



5. ESCR test methods (10 min)
   • ASTM D1693, critical strain, fracture mechanics & others….


6. Similar failures to ESC (5 min)
   • Crack Tip Dissolution
   • Solvation/Plasticization
   • Dissolution


7. Practical Case Studies on Automotive, Hardware & Medical plastic parts (15 min)
   • Reviewing Failure mode, cause & suggesting recommendations