ASTM D1693-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 1693 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
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.
1. Scope * 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the sus- 3.1 Definitions:
ceptibility of ethylene plastics, as defined in Terminology 3.1.1 stress-crack, n—an external or internal rupture in a
D 883, to environmental stress-cracking when subjected to the plastic caused by tensile stresses less than its short-time
conditions herein specified. Under certain conditions of stress mechanical strength.
and in the presence of environments such as soaps, wetting 3.1.1.1 Discussion—The development of such cracks is
agents, oils, or detergents, ethylene plastics may exhibit frequently accelerated by the environment to which the plastic
mechanical failure by cracking. is exposed. The stresses which cause cracking may be present
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the internally or externally, or may be a combination of these
standard. stresses. The appearance of a network of fine cracks is called
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the crazing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.2 stress-crack failure, n—for purposes of this test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- method, any crack visible to an observer with normal eyesight
6
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- shall be interpreted as a failure of the entire specimen (1).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Extension of the controlled imperfection shall not be construed
as a failure. The appearance of more than one crack in a single
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
specimen shall be construed as a single failure.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Cracks generally develop at the con-
2. Referenced Documents
trolled imperfection and run to the outer edge of the specimen
2.1 ASTM Standards:
approximately at right angles to it (2). The cracks need not
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
2 extend completely through the specimen to constitute failure.
Insulating Materials for Testing
2 Cracks sometimes develop under the polymer surface, mani-
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
festing themselves as depressions on the surface. The time
D 1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
when this occurs should be noted, and if the depression later
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
2 develops into a crack, the time of dimpling should be consid-
Temperature
ered as the failure time.
D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
2
Extrusion Materials
4. Summary of Test Method
D 1928 Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
4.1 Bent specimens of the plastic, each having a controlled
2
Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens
imperfection on one surface, are exposed to the action of a
D 3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and
surface-active agent. The proportion of the total number of
3
Fittings Materials
specimens that crack in a given time is observed.
D 4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
4
Extrusion Materials
5. Significance and Use
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
5.1 This test method may be used for routine inspection
5
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
purposes by subjecting a required number of specimens to the
test conditions for a specified time and noting the number that
1
fail. The cracking obtained with the test reagent is indicative of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materi-
what may be expected from a wide variety of surface-active
als.
agents, soaps, and organic substances that are not absorbed
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally
appreciably by the polymer.
published as D 1693 – 59 T. Last previous edition D 1693 – 99.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. this test method.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
...