ASTM D1693-01

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Designation:D 1693–01
Standard Test Method for
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Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1693; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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1. Scope* Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the sus-
3. Terminology
ceptibility of ethylene plastics, as defined in Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
D 883, to environmental stress-cracking when subjected to the
3.1.1 stress-crack, n—an external or internal rupture in a
conditions herein specified. Under certain conditions of stress
plastic caused by tensile stresses less than its short-time
and in the presence of environments such as soaps, wetting
mechanical strength.
agents, oils, or detergents, ethylene plastics may exhibit
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The development of such cracks is
mechanical failure by cracking.
frequently accelerated by the environment to which the plastic
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
is exposed. The stresses which cause cracking may be present
standard.
internally or externally, or may be a combination of these
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
stresses. The appearance of a network of fine cracks is called
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
crazing.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 stress-crack failure, n—for purposes of this test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
method, any crack visible to an observer with normal eyesight
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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shall be interpreted as a failure of the entire specimen (1).
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
Extension of the controlled imperfection shall not be construed
as a failure. The appearance of more than one crack in a single
2. Referenced Documents
specimen shall be construed as a single failure.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Cracks generally develop at the con-
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
trolled imperfection and run to the outer edge of the specimen
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Insulating Materials for Testing
approximately at right angles to it (2). The cracks need not
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D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
extend completely through the specimen to constitute failure.
D 1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
Cracks sometimes develop under the polymer surface, mani-
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
festing themselves as depressions on the surface. The time
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Temperature
when this occurs should be noted, and if the depression later
D 1248 SpecificationforPolyethylenePlasticsMoldingand
develops into a crack, the time of dimpling should be consid-
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Extrusion Materials
ered as the failure time.
D 3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and
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Fittings Materials
4. Summary of Test Method
D 4703 Practice for Compression Molded Thermoplastic
4.1 Bent specimens of the plastic, each having a controlled
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Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
imperfection on one surface, are exposed to the action of a
D 4976 SpecificationforPolyethylenePlasticsMoldingand
surface-active agent. The proportion of the total number of
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Extrusion Materials
specimens that crack in a given time is observed.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method may be used for routine inspection
1 purposes by subjecting a required number of specimens to the
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materi- test conditions for a specified time and noting the number that
als.
Current edition approved June 10, 2001. Published August 2001. Originally
published as D 1693 – 59 T. Last previous edition D 1693 – 00.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. this test method.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 1693–01
TABLE 1 Standard Test Conditions
Specimen Thickness Notch Depth
Condition Bath Temperature, °C
A A
mm in. mm in
...