THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL AGING ON THE CREEP-RUPTURE BEHAVIOR OF POLYSTYRENE

The effects of postannealing aging time on the brittle fracture behavior of polystyrene were studied. A combination of mechanical properties, including creep and creep rupture under constant load and the behavior under constant extension rate deformation were examined for polystyrene samples of different prior aging times (from 1 h to 2 months). The specimens and fracture surfaces were examined by optical microscopy and SEM to observe any changes in the fracture behavior. It was found that longer aging times caused not only a change in the time-dependent modulus of the material but also a significant decrease in the creep rupture life and a decrease in strain to failure. It was found that the reasons for this are that although aging delays craze formation, craze breakdown and ultimate failure are accelerated by aging. The importance of these findings are discussed, particularly in relation to failure criteria involving the use of critical strains. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.