THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL AGING IN POLYCARBONATE

The effects of physical aging below the glass transition temperature on selected properties of polycarbonate have been studied. Changes in tensile yield strength, post yield stress drop, and fracture toughness as a result of annealing at 120°C for 240 h have been measured and are related to changes in free volume as measured by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The free volume concentration remains constant during the aging heat treatment at 120°C but decreases after cooling due to aging. The relationship between free volume changes and physical property changes is discussed in terms of molecular conformations and fracture mode. The effect of aging on fracture morphology is presented to aid interpretations of fracture mode. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.