1 min read
How Does Plastic Decompose?
The most common cause of plastic parts to weaken is exposure of the plastic to sunlight. Plastics consist of long polymer chain molecules...
EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS
Polycarbonate (PC) is an amorphous (non-crystalline) plastic. PC is nicknamed “bullet-proof glass” because of its highly ductile response to high-speed impact. PC is highly impact resistant because of its “free volume” between the long chain molecules. However, the amorphous nature and high free volume between the molecules, causes PC to have exceptionally poor chemical resistance. PC readily absorbs many hydrocarbon chemicals causing it to become brittle and fail by a process known as Environmental Stress Cracking or ESC.
1 min read
What Can Dissolve Plastic?
The most common cause of plastic parts to weaken is exposure of the plastic to sunlight. Plastics consist of long polymer chain molecules...
1 min read
Why Does Plastic Crack Over Time?
The two main reasons why plastic parts crack over time is due to natural aging and from exposure to chemicals. As plastics parts age, they get...