Plastic Failure Analysis & Processing Troubleshooting

incorrect material selection
the use of an incorrect material for an application is a common cause of polymer failure, lack of understanding of the interaction of polymers with chemicals and environments and long term response commonly leads to premature failure.

chemical & environmental interactions
interaction of polymers with chemicals and environments can lead to degradation of racking of polymers. For many materials specific interactions with common household products can lead to rapid crazing, cracking, fracture and product failure.

response to long term loads
plastic and rubber products are sensitive to long term loads. These can be either static loads through creep or fatigue mechanisms. These processes mean that the strength and stiffness of plastic components in service conditions are frequently significantly lower than quoted on a standard data sheet. A lack of understanding of the significance of the long term mechanical effects is a common cause of failure

processing errors
incorrect processing of plastic materials causes failure through degradation and embrittlement process, high residual stresses, material inhomogeneity, introduction of product faults, moulding defects or contaminants

inappropriate design
product design is fundamental to ensuring plastic component long term durability. incorrect design will highlight polymeric material weaknesses to long term loads, chemical environments, high speed loading, fatigue loads resulting in brittle failure of the product within a short service life.