The role of intercrystalline links in the environmental stress cracking of high density polyethylene

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Abstract
Results of dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and tensile stress‐strain data show that the non‐ionic surfactant Igepal CO‐630, often used as a stress cracking agent, and water are absorbed by high density polyethylene to cause an internal stress relaxation of the intercrystalline tie molecules. The resulting molecular rearrangements produce changes in both the crystalline and amorphous regions. Thus, a molecular mechanism is proposed for the long‐term aging process based on the results of accelerated aging in the presence of an environmental stress cracking agent.