@inproceedings{988a76735bea48d8b89e4b6c31780136,
title = "Method for degrading polyethylene sheet samples in an oxidative environment",
abstract = "Stress cracking is a failure mode that must be considered when evaluating the lifetime of polymer components. In modeling this failure mode, mechanical properties as a function of the extent of degradation must be evaluated. This paper describes an apparatus and method for degrading thin polymer sheets in an oxidative environment. A model system of PE in hot chlorinated water with an oxidation reduction potential of approximately 825 mV is considered. The oxidative environment is achieved by a water bath with temperature, pH and free chlorine controlled to 60-65°C, 5.2 +/- 0.5 ppm free chlorine, and 6.3 +0.5/-0.0 pH. Under these conditions, the molecular weight of 50-60 micron thick PE sheets was reduced by 60% and the strain at break for the sheets was reduced by 90% after 1000 hours exposure.",
author = "Evan Cosgriff and Susan Mantell and Mrinal Bhattacharya",
year = "2017",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "978-0-692-88309-9",
series = "Annual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings",
publisher = "Society of Plastics Engineers",
pages = "1228--1233",
booktitle = "75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017",
address = "United States",
note = "75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017 ; Conference date: 08-05-2017 Through 10-05-2017",
}