Measuring ESC
A number of different methods are used to evaluate a polymer’s resistance to environmental stress cracking. A common method in the polymer industry is use of the Bergen jig, which subjects the sample to variable strain during a single test. The results of this test indicate the critical strain to cracking, using only one sample.[2] Another widely used test is the Bell Telephone test where bent strips are exposed to fluids of interest under controlled conditions. Current research deals with the application of fracture mechanics to the study of ESC phenomena.[5]