Analysis and modelling of the environmental stress cracking resistance of short fiber reinforced amorphous thermoplastics

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann
• Subject Area: Plastics Engineering
• Term: from 2017 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 369874665

The aim of the research is to analyze and to describe model-based the environmental stress cracking resistance of short fiber reinforced amorphous thermoplastics as a function of the orientation state of the fibers and matrix-related properties. The environmental stress cracking is one of the most common failure reasons of plastic parts during their use. It refers to a premature failure of a polymeric material under mechanical stress with simultaneous action of an environmental medium. One approach to minimize the risk of environmental stress cracking, is the use of short-fiber reinforcements. Research shows that the susceptibility to stress cracking can be significantly reduced. However, own preliminary investigations show clearly that the failure is significantly affected by the local orientation state of the reinforcing fibers. So far, no basic studies can be found in the literature for this purpose. The proposed project is intended to fill this research gap.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants