Environmental stress cracking of silver-coated polycarbonate

This study investigates the effect of silver coating on the environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of Lexan EXL9330 polycarbonate under exposure to anti-corrosion oil and mechanical strain. Polycarbonates, known for their durability and versatility, are susceptible to environmental stress cracking (ESC) when exposed to aggressive chemicals under mechanical stress. In this research, eight groups of test specimens were evaluated, with variations including coated and uncoated surfaces, and exposure to anti-corrosion oil under controlled strain conditions. The specimens were fabricated using Sabic EXL9330 resin, subjected to tensile testing, and analyzed for surface defects using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results showed that anti-corrosion oil significantly exacerbates ESC, leading to considerable surface defects such as crazes and pores, particularly in uncoated specimens under strain. In contrast, silver-coated specimens demonstrated enhanced ESCR, with a notable reduction in surface defects and only a modest decrease in ductility (approximately 9.5%) compared to the control group. FTIR analysis confirmed that chemical composition remained unchanged, reinforcing the role of ESC in the observed material degradation. This study underscores the effectiveness of silver coating in improving the resistance of polycarbonate materials to environmental stress cracking, highlighting its potential for applications where chemical exposure and mechanical stress are prevalent. Highlights: Silver coating improves environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) in polycarbonate. Anti-corrosion oil exposure significantly exacerbates stress cracking in polycarbonate. Coated specimens show reduced surface defects and minimal loss in ductility (9.5%). Uncoated specimens exposed to oil and strain exhibit severe crazes and pores. FTIR analysis confirms no chemical degradation in tested polycarbonate samples.