ASTM D1693 Test

The ASTM D1693 standard, Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics, covers the determination of the susceptibility of ethylene plastics to environmental stress-cracking when subjected to environmental stress-cracking.

Under certain stress conditions and in the presence of media such as soaps, wetting agents, oils or detergents, ethylene plastics can crack and show mechanical failure.

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 samples tested show stress cracks. 

The ESCR test under the ASTM D1693 standard is performed by gently bending the test specimens and placing them in a retaining clamp. The clamp and samples are then placed in a test tube and immersed in a specific reagent. The test tube is sealed and placed in a constant temperature bath. Multiple test samples are tested at one time. Samples are checked periodically for failure. Cracks usually develop in the notch, perpendicular to the notch, and extend to the edge of the specimen. Any crack, not just cracks reaching the edge of the specimen, constitutes failure. 

Sometimes cracks form below the surface and appear as surface depressions. If a depression develops into a surface crack, the time when the depression is noted is taken as the time of failure. Three test conditions are specified. Condition A is generally used for polyethylene with a density between 0,910 and 0,925 g/cm³. Condition B is used for polyethylene with a density greater than 0,925 g/cm³. Condition C is used for accelerated testing of materials with extremely high ESCR values.

EUROLAB, together with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, helps you get precise and fast results within the scope of ASTM D1693 test.