The effects of water and frequency on fatigue crack growth rate in modified and unmodified Polyvinyl Chloride

Samat, Noorasikin and Burford, Robert and Whittle, Alan and Hoffman, Mark (2010) The effects of water and frequency on fatigue crack growth rate in modified and unmodified Polyvinyl Chloride. Polymer Engineering and Science, 50 (2). pp. 352-364. ISSN 1548-2634

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Abstract

A study of the influence of water environments on the cyclic fatigue crack behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with (PVC-M) and without (PVC-U) chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) impact modifier was undertaken and compared with corresponding results in air. Two frequencies of 1 and 7 Hz were applied to assess the influence of frequency on the fatigue behavior; a higher fatigue resistance and threshold were obtained with increasing frequency. This trend is more significant in water. However, in this environment, the fatigue resistance deteriorated under conditions of higher stress intensity factor amplitude (ΔK) and frequency. The fatigue properties of PVC-U are the most affected by the presence of water, particularly at low frequency and higher ΔK. Examination of the fracture surface showed the interaction of water molecules and the PVC matrix with the formation of (1) a nodular structure, close to the fatigue threshold and (2) plasticized structures at high ΔK, which are associated with a greater threshold value and fatigue resistance. The absorption of the water retarded the fibrillation of craze and caused crack blunting effects. Water functions as a plasticizer, particularly at high ΔK, through the formation of the plasticized structures. Results are compared with those observed from an in-service failure

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	4029/2843
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fatigue, pvc, pvc pipes, modified pvc, water, frequency, fatigue threshold, nodular structure, craze
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1080 Polymers, plastics and their manufacture
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr Noorasikin Samat
Date Deposited:	30 Sep 2011 14:17
Last Modified:	25 Aug 2017 13:56
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/2843

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