Detailed Study on Fundamental Variables Affecting Environmental Stress Crack Resistance of Polyethylene-Application for Modelling Mechanical Behaviour

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This proposal addresses modelling of the constitutive behaviour of polymers used in construction industry. It includes short-term and long-term performance and failure. Long-term performance influences failure and it is likely the most critical issue that needs to be addressed in order to safely use polymers as structural materials. In this phase of the research, polyethylene (PE) and polyfluoroethylene (based on the comonomers ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, and usually abbreviated as ETFE) will be studied. Long-term performance and failure (slow crack growth, creep rupture or yield) of PE are directly related to its environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), which is determined in laboratory conditions. However, the relationship between ESCR and the structural performance of PE in real conditions is not well understood.