Strength of Polymers

Strength-limiting processes know in polymers

1. Brittle fracture
2. Cold drawing
3. Shear banding
4. Crazing
5. Viscous flow
 1. Brittle fracture 2. Cold drawing
• < 0.75 TG polymers are brittle • About 50°C below TG, thermoplastics
• Low toughness become plastic
• Stress concentration like cracks, • Yields at about 0.1 strain, then
notches, sharp section changes are draws
dangerous • Chains unfold (crystal) or untangle
(amorphous)
• Starts to neck, then spreads
throughout
 3. Crazing
• Visible white streaks on cheap plastics
• High TG polymers (PS) craze
• Small crack shaped regions with drawn
polymer (ligaments) that link craze
surfaces
• Crack usually start from a craze and
propagates
4. Shear banding
• Large plastic strains
• Finite strain occurs in each shear
band
• Occurs due to deviatoric stresses,
unlike crazing that occurs due to
dilatational stresses
 Strength Diagram for Polymers
Strength is less understood than stiffness

Depends on strain rate and temperature

PMMA
Case Study: Plastic Gear Design
 Case Study: Plastic Gear Design
Plastic gears are continuing to displace metal gears
Advantages
1. Cost effectiveness of the injection-molding process
2. Elimination of machining operations
3. Low density: lightweight, low inertia
4. Capability to absorb shock and vibration
6. Ability to operate with minimum or no lubrication
7. Relatively low coefficient of friction
8. Corrosion-resistance
9. Quietness of operation
10. Tolerances often less critical (than metal) due to their greater resilience
Limitations
1. Less load-carrying capacity
2. Lower accuracy
3. Greater dimensional instabilities (large CTE and moisture absorption)
4. Reduced ability to operate at extremely high and low temperatures
5. Initial high mold cost in developing correct tooth form and dimensions
 Design Considerations
The effects of heat and moisture must be given careful consideration
1. Blacklash: More allowances for high CTE and swelling (moisture)
2. Lubrication: Most do not require. Controls temperature rise. Critical
at high speeds.
3. Plastic gear with metal gear: Metal gear acts as heat sink to combat
temperature rise.

Shrinkage effects Backlash

 Selection of Polymers
Strength values Stiffness values
Ultimate strength Instantaneous elastic modulus
Yield strength Creep compliance
Endurance limit in fatigue Equivalent modulus of a composite
Creep rupture Complex modulus
Ultimate strain
Creep strain limit
Availability of polymers
Performance parameters Fabricability
Relative depth, volume, weight, or Heat-distortion temperature
cost or of a section Compatibility with environment
for equal strength Glass transition temperature
for equal stiffness Toxic or health effects