Stressed polyethylene

Abu-Hammad OA, Harrison A, Williams D (2000) The effect of a hydroxylapatite-reinforced polyethylene stress distributor in a dental implant on compressive stress levels in surrounding bone. Inti J Oral Maxillofac Implants 15 559-564... 

PBT and polyethylene Stress relaxation behavior Instron tester 123... 

Most high plastic insulating materials, such as polyethylene. Mylar, polystyrene, nylon and silicone, have about the same resistance to corona. Kel-F and Teflon are particularly susceptible to the erosion effects of corona. At a frequency of 60 cycles per second, a 4.5 mil sample of polyethylene, stressed at 600 volts per mil, will average about 50 h before breakdown occurs. The time to breakdown for polystyrene is approximately 75 h, while that of Teflon is only about 6 hours. 

Figure 13.32 Environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) against natural draw ratio (NDR). Cri and Cr2 are high density polyethylenes with different catalysation regimes, and ZN is an ethylene-hexene copolymer. (Reproduced from Cazenave, j., Seguela, R., Sixou, B. et al. (2006) Short-term mechanical and structural approaches for the evaluation of polyethylene stress crack resistance. Polymer, 47, 3904. Copyright (2006) Elsevier Ltd.)...

Cazenave, J., Seguela, R., Sixou, B. etal. (2006) Short-term mechanical and structural approaches for the evaluation of polyethylene stress crack resistance. Polymer, 47, 3904. 

In the sheeting market, the low density polyethylenes are less important than the high density resins. The high density resins have excellent chemical resistance, stress-crack resistance, durabiUty, and low temperature properties which make them ideal for pond liners, waste treatment faciUties, and landfills. In thicker section, HMW-HDPE sheet makes good containers, trays, tmck-bed liners, disposable items, and concrete molds. The good durabiUty, abrasion resistance, and light weight are critical elements for its selection. 

Fig. 1. Stress—strain curves for ionomer and polyethylene resins. Test speed is 5 cm/min. The reference matedal is high molecular weight conventional...

Polypropylene polymers are typically modified with ethylene to obtain desirable properties for specific applications. Specifically, ethylene—propylene mbbers are introduced as a discrete phase in heterophasic copolymers to improve toughness and low temperature impact resistance (see Elastomers, ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE rubber). This is done by sequential polymerisation of homopolymer polypropylene and ethylene—propylene mbber in a multistage reactor process or by the extmsion compounding of ethylene—propylene mbber with a homopolymer. Addition of high density polyethylene, by polymerisation or compounding, is sometimes used to reduce stress whitening. In all cases, a superior balance of properties is obtained when the sise of the discrete mbber phase is approximately one micrometer. Examples of these polymers and their properties are shown in Table 2. Mineral fillers, such as talc or calcium carbonate, can be added to polypropylene to increase stiffness and high temperature properties, as shown in Table 3. 

In 1971 a metal-backed polyethylene acetabular cup was introduced. This cup provided an eccentric socket which was replaceable, leaving the metal and replacing only the polyethylene. Because of the success of this component, metal-backed high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner is standard for prosthetic acetabular components. Research confirms that metal-backing reduces the peak stresses in the bone cement, and that HDPE forms a successfiil articulating surface for the prosthetic joint. 

The material in use as of the mid-1990s in these components is HDPE, a linear polymer which is tough, resiUent, ductile, wear resistant, and has low friction (see Olefin polymers, polyethylene). Polymers are prone to both creep and fatigue (stress) cracking. Moreover, HDPE has a modulus of elasticity that is only one-tenth that of the bone, thus it increases the level of stress transmitted to the cement, thereby increasing the potential for cement mantle failure. When the acetabular HDPE cup is backed by metal, it stiffens the HDPE cup. This results in function similar to that of natural subchondral bone. Metal backing has become standard on acetabular cups. 

Fig. 22. Shear viscosity Tj and first normal stress difference (7) vs shear rate 7 for a low density polyethylene at 150°C (149), where (Q) — parallel plate ...

Materials respond to stress by straining. Under a given stress, a stiff material (like steel) strains only slightly a floppy or compliant material (like polyethylene) strains much more. The modulus of the material describes this property, but before we can measure it, or even define it, we must define strain properly. 

At temperatures 50°C or so below T, thermoplastics become plastic (hence the name). The stress-strain curve typical of polyethylene or nylon, for example, is shown in Fig. 23.10. It shows three regions. 

Whilst the Vicat test usually gives the higher values the differences are quite modest with many polymers (e.g. those of types A, B and C). For example, in the case of the polycarbonate of bis-phenol A (Chapter 20) the heat distortion temperatures are 135-140°C and 140-146°C for the high and low stress levels respectively and the Vicat softening point is about 165°C. In the case of an acetal homopolymer the temperatures are 100, 170 and 185°C respectively. With nylon 66 the two ASTM heat distortion tests give values as different as 75 and 200°C. A low-density polyethylene may have a Vicat temperature of 90°C but a heat distortion temperature below normal ambient temperatures. 

Figure 10.6. Effect of temperature on the tensile stress-strain curve for polyethylene. (Low-density polymer -0.92g/cm . MFI = 2.) Rate of extension 190% per minute ...

The excellent electrical insulation properties of polyethylene have led to extensive use in cable and other wire-covering applications. Spectacular early uses included undersea cables and airborne radar and the materials continue to be used in substantial quantities. One particular trend is the increasing use of cross-linked polyethylene for this area of use. Such materials have improved heat resistance and in addition have given generally better resistance to stress cracking. Cellular polyethylene is used as the insulator for television downlead aerials. 

Studies of melt flow properties of polypropylene indicate that it is more non-Newtonian than polyethylene in that the apparent viscosity declines more rapidly with increase in shear rate. The melt viscosity is also more sensitive to temperature. Van der Wegt has shown that if the log (apparent viscosity) is plotted against log (shear stress) for a number of polypropylene grades differing in molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and measured at different temperatures the curves obtained have practically the same shape and differ only in position. 

It is less resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons than polyethylene and polypropylene and in fact pipes may be solvent welded. At the same time the resistance to environmental stress cracking is excellent. 

The homopolymer finds a variety of uses, as an adhesive component, as a base for chewing gum, in caulking compounds, as a tackifier for greases, in tank linings, as a motor oil additive to provide suitable viscosity characteristics and to improve the environmental stress-cracking resistance of polyethylene. It has been incorporated in quantities of up to 30% in high-density polyethylene to improve the impact strength of heavy duty sacks. 

The data presented in Figure 19.7 were obtained on a Sonntag-Universal machine which flexes a beam in tension and compression. Whereas the acetal resin was subjected to stresses at 1800 cycles per minute at 75°F and at 100% RH, the nylons were cycled at only 1200 cycles per minute and had a moisture content of 2.5%. The polyethylene sample was also flexed at 1200 cycles per minute. Whilst the moisture content has not been found to be a significant factor it has been observed that the geometry of the test piece and, in particular, the presence of notches has a profound effect on the fatigue endurance limit. 

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