Product Improvement

Reducing Environmental Stress Cracking in Plastic Parts

Reducing Environmental Stress Cracking in Plastic Parts
Language: English
Length: 90 min
May 07, 2025 03:00 PM
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Course Description

Ever wondered why plastic parts sometimes crack unexpectedly? It can be due to environmental stress cracking (ESC). This course will equip you to tackle ESC and ensure your plastic parts last longer.

Delve into the different ways plastic parts can fail and how to predict when such failures might occur. Move your way up to practical strategies for preventing ESC. These strategies will focus on three key areas:


  • Choosing the right plastic material: We'll explore how selecting the most suitable plastic for the job can significantly reduce the risk of ESC.
  • Optimizing part design: You'll learn how design considerations can minimize stress on plastic parts, making them more resistant to cracking.
  • Understanding the environment: We'll discuss the importance of considering the environmental factors that can contribute to ESC, such as temperature and exposure to chemicals.

Learn from real-life examples and ensure your plastic parts last longer!

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Jeffrey A Jansen
Jeffrey A Jansen
The Madison Group
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Jeffrey A. Jansen is the Engineering Manager and a Partner at The Madison Group, an independent plastics engineering and consulting firm. Jeff is a proven plastic professional with more than 30 years of experience solving problems and addressing opportunities related to polymeric materials. He specializes in failure analysis, material identification and selection, as well as compatibility, aging, and lifetime prediction studies for thermoplastic materials. Jeff has performed over 5,000 investigations, both for industrial clients and as a part of litigation. He regularly presents live seminars and webinars covering a wide range of topics related to plastics failure, material performance, testing, and polymer technology. Jeff is a graduate of Carroll College and the Milwaukee School of Engineering

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Why should you view this course?

Around 25% of plastic part failures in the industry are related to Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC). Practically, it's the leading cause of failure. ESC is often due to the combination of multiple factors (material, design, processing, in-use). You choose the wrong factor to focus on, and you will find your entire time wasted! Reduce the occurrence of Environmental Stress Cracking in your plastic parts by joining Jeffrey (performed >1470 failure investigations). He will help you to:

  1. Get a grip on ESC by understanding its underlying mechanisms (ductile overload, creep model) & factors affecting performance (materials, design..)

  2. Better prevent ESC with practical considerations derived from Jeff Jansen’s own experience (polymers, chemicals & situations with highest risk)

  3. Assess confidently whether your material is prone to ESC by using most suited test methods (ASTM D543, ASTM D1693..)

Who should join this course?

  • Design Engineers, Failure Analysts, Quality Engineers at Material Suppliers/ Plastic parts manufacturers who need to better understand ESC analysis to gain a competitive advantage.

  • Complete the course and (unlock your personalized certificate)– your badge of accomplishment awaits!

  • This course is suitable for intermediate level proficiency
    Intermediate
Course Outline

The following sections will be covered during this session:

Introduction to ESC

  • Plastics Failure Mechanism
  • ESC Failure Mechanism

Why do Plastic Parts Crack?

  • Polymer structure and its influence on ESC
  • The role of stress, strain, and environmental factors
  • Ductile Overload Cracking Model
  • Ductile to Brittle Transition

Elements of Prediction of ESC

  • Material selection: Polymer composition and ESC resistance (amorphous vs. crystalline, molecular weight)
  • Stress Levels (Internal and External)
  • Stress Concentration Factors
  • Temperature
  • Exposure Time

Practical Considerations to Reduce ESC Occurrence

ESCR Test Methods

  • ASTM D1693
  • Critical strain
  • Fracture mechanics & others

Similar Failures to ESC

  • Crack Tip Dissolution
  • Solvation/Plasticization
  • Dissolution

Practical Case Studies on Automotive, Hardware & Medical Plastic Parts

  • Reviewing Failure Mode, Cause & Suggesting Recommendations
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30 min Q & As for this course
Interact directly with your tutor and clarify your doubts
  1. 30 mins per session for Questions and Answers
  2. Clarify your doubts.
  3. If your questions are not answered, dont worry you will recieve tutor’s reply via email after sessions.
Reducing Environmental Stress Cracking in Plastic Parts
€299
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