Impact strength of polymers: 1. The effect of thermal treatment and residual stress

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science 1976-02, Vol.16 (2), p.74-81
• Main Authors: Broutman, Lawrence J., Krishnakumar, Suppayan M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.760160203

The effect of thermal annealing and quenching on the notched Izod impact strength of several polymers has been studied. Primary emphasis was placed on polycarbonate, but ABS, PVC, polysulfone, and polymethylmethacrylate were also studied. It was determined that residual stresses created by thermal quenching from above the glass transition temperature can have a great effect on impact strength for the polycarbonate, PVC, and polysulfone polymers studied. In fact, it is shown that the thickness transition observed in impact strength for polycarbonates is governed by the residual stresses and not by thickness. In polycarbonates, quenched sheets up to 3/8 in. in thickness have shown impact strengths of 18 ft‐lb/in. whereas sheets 1/8 in. in thickness can be embrittled by annealing, showing an impact strength of 2 ft‐lb/in. However, it has been shown that this embrittlement results from the absence of residual stress. Residual stresses having maximum values up to 3000 psi (in Compression) have been determined at the polycarbonate sheet surface using birefringence measurement techniques. The existence of these compressive stresses is postulated to restrict the extent of craze growth at the notch tip, and the impact specimen can yield rather than fail in a brittle manner if the stress state is sufficient.