PREDICTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL-STRESS CRACKING OF POLYCARBONATE FROM SOLUBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

Simple thermodynamic relationships as well as semiempirical solubility parameter plotting techniques were examined as methods for predicting critical crazing strains of polycarbonate exposed to linear and branched alkanes. In general, measured critical strains correlated with predicted solubilities based on the Flory–Huggins equation. Solubility parameters could also be used to predict critical strains if molecular size differences between specific alkanes were taken into account. These techniques were then extended to polar and hydrogen bonding liquids using two‐dimensional solubility parameter plotting representations. A comprehensive listing of critical strains for polycarbonate exposed to over 80 liquids and liquid mixtures is included. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.