Author(s)

C. Ho-Huu, T. Ha-Anh, T. Vu-Khanh

Abstract

Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the toughest, most versatile engineering thermoplastics. However, due to physical aging phenomenon, the polymer can break in a brittle manner at normal temperature with relatively low loading rates. The aim of this work is to study the effects of aging on the brittle-ductile transition temperature (7^) and the yielding behavior of an unmodified PC. Fractures tests were performed over a range of loading rates from 0.2mm/min to 2.5 m/s, using the single edge notched bending specimen (SENB). 7^ was determined from the observed fracture behavior as a function of loading rate and temperature. Their relationship is analysed by an activation energy approach, using the Arrhenius-type equation. The results show that ageing increases the temperature at brittle-ductile transition of

Keywords