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Environmental Stress Cracking Apparatus

Environmental Stress Cracking Apparatus

Model: ESC-95. ISO 4599, ASTM D1693

ESC-95 Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR) Apparatus determines the susceptibility of ethylene plastics to stress-cracking when exposed to different environments such as soaps, wetting agents, oils and detergents. When the material is under certain conditions of stress, these reagents can accelerate the cracking process which is one of the most common causes of unexpected brittle failure of polymers known. Designed in accordance with the ISO 4599, ASTM D1693 international test standard, the apparatus is extremely cost effective and very simple to use.

General Introduction

ESC-95 Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR) Apparatus determines the susceptibility of ethylene plastics to stress-cracking when exposed to different environments such as soaps, wetting agents, oils and detergents. When the material is under certain conditions of stress, these reagents can accelerate the cracking process which is one of the most common causes of unexpected brittle failure of polymers known. Designed in accordance with the ISO 4599, ASTM D1693 international test standard, the apparatus is extremely cost effective and very simple to use.

Key Features

  • Key Features
  • References
  • Principle & Test Procedure

1. Manufactured to a high standard, the apparatus is supplied with electronic digital temperature control, temperature bath and all tooling accessories.

2. The integrated temperature bath fitted with digital temperature controller, heater and a PT100 platinum resistance thermometer accurately maintains the test temperature, accuracy is ± 0.5 °C.

3. To ensure temperature stability within the bath, a stirrer motor system is fitted and the built in electronic timer monitors the duration of the test.  

4. The bath is fitted with a stainless steel sample rack which holds up to 8 glass test tubes which are immersed in a heat transfer medium such as silicone oil.

5. The specimen holder is designed to maintain a constant stress on the mid section of the test samples with up to 8 specimens fitted into a specimen holder at one time.

ISO 4599  "Plastics -- Determination of resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESC) -- Bent strip method”

ASTM D1693  "Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics“


IEC 60811-4-1 Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods - Part 4-1: Methods specific to polyethylene and polypropylene compounds - Resistance to environmental stress cracking - Measurement of the melt flow index - Carbon black and/or mineral filler content measurement in polyethylene by direct combustion - Measurement of carbon black content by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) - Assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene using a microscope

Environmental stress cracking is the formation of cracks in a material caused by relatively low tensile stress and environmental conditions. Environmental Stress-Cracking Resistance (ESCR) is the number of hours that 50% of the specimens tested exhibit stress cracks. 

 Environmental Stress Cracking Apparatus

ESCR Specimen


ESCR testing is performed by slowly bending the test specimens and placing them in a holding clamp. The clamp and specimens are then placed in a test tube and immersed in a specified reagent. The test tube is sealed and placed in a constant-temperature bath. Multiple test specimens are tested at one time.

Environmental Stress Cracking ApparatusEnvironmental Stress Cracking Apparatus
ESCR Specimens in HolderESCR Test


Specimens are inspected periodically for failure. Cracks generally develop at the notch, perpendicular to the notch, and run to the edge of the specimen. Any cracks constitute failure, not just cracks that reach the edge of the specimen. Cracks sometimes appear beneath the surface and are visible as surface depressions. If a depression develops into a surface crack the time at which the depression was noted is taken as the time of failure.

Main Technical Specification

ModelESC-95
Bottle number10 pcs bottles
Bath inner size400*300*400mm (48L)
Bath temperature rangeambient temperature to 95℃
Temperature accuracy± 0.5℃
Sample dimensionsLength: 38±2.5mm,
Width: 13±0.8mm,
Height: 1.75--3.00 mm
Heating power3Kw
Volume48L
Power supply220V, 50HZ, 1 phase
Sample cutting device notch depthCondition A: 0.5~0.65mm (standard delivery) for sample 3~3.3mmCondition B: 0.3~0.4 mm (optional) for sample 1.75~2mm
Dimensions725*440*500mm L*W*H not include the top motor. the motor is 132mm
Weight30Kg


Environmental Stress Cracking Apparatus

Standard

ASTM D1693 Test for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics

ASTM D1693 determination of the susceptibility of ethylene plastics, to environmental stress-cracking when subjected to the conditions herein specified. Under certain conditions of stress and in the presence of environments such as soaps, wetting agents, oils, or detergents, ethylene plastics may exhibit mechanical failure by cracking. ASTM D1693 Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics

IEC 60811-4-1 Testing methods for Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables

IEC 60811-4-1:2004 specifying five specialized test methods for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) compounds used as insulating and sheathing materials in electric and optical fiber cables for power distribution, telecommunications, shipboard, and offshore applications. 

Test Methods specific to polyethylene and polypropylene compounds – Resistance to environmental stress cracking – Measurement of the melt flow index – Carbon black and/or mineral filler content measurement in polyethylene by direct combustion - Measurement of carbon black content by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) – Assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene using a microscope.

ISO 22088-3 Plastics resistance test to environmental stress cracking (ESC)

ISO 22088-3:2006 Plastics -- Determination of resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESC) Part 3: Bent strip method


ISO 22088-3 specifies a method for the determination of the environmental stress cracking (ESC) resistance of thermoplastics when they are subjected to a fixed flexural strain in the presence of chemical agents.

ESC is indicated by the change of a suitably chosen indicative property of specimens that have been strained for a defined time in the environment. The method of test is suitable for determining the resistance of sheets and of flat test specimens, especially the sensitivity of localized surface regions of specimens, to ESC. 

ISO 4599 Bent strip test - Environmental stress cracking resistance test

ISO 4599 standard evaluates the crack resistance of plastic materials under specific environmental conditions through constant pre-strain tests. This performance testing is crucial for assessing the durability and reliability of plastic materials in practical applications.

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