Environmental stress cracking of high-density polyethylene under plane stress conditions

High-Density Polyethylene is prone to Environmental Stress Cracking if mechanically stressed in the presence of solutions containing surfactants. Even this polymer widely used produce containers for industrial and household detergents, its Resistance generally evaluated under plane strain conditions irrespective actual stress state experienced during service life. In work Slow Crack Growth thin specimens, conditions, was studied air an “active” environment. The J-integral approach adopted account extensive plastic deformations thereby occurring obtained results were compared those describing behaviour same polyethylene, reported previous works. effect production process also assessed by comparing compression moulded blow latter having a lower degree crystallinity. Despite difference fracture resistance expected air, active environment very similar, suggesting that has only negligible influence on considered polyethylene.