C-TYPE METHOD FOR LIFE-ESTIMATION UNDER SOLVENT-STRESS CONDITIONS FOR PLASTICS

Abstract

The author has developed a new method, capable of predicting durability of plastic parts under railway service conditions. It uses newly revised C-shaped specimens, which are kept under a constant tensile and compressive stress in a crack-promoting agent, while following the stress relaxation to determine S.S.C.Index, at a specific temperature and holding time. These indices have been correlated with field test results collected over about 12 years. Actual damage rates, based on the probability of plastic parts lasting about 10 years can be now estimated by a one-hour laboratory test.