Environmental stress cracking

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003992",
  "term": "Environmental stress cracking",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The brittle fracture of a polymer under the combined action of mechanical stress and exposure to a specific chemical environment, where neither factor alone would cause failure. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in amorphous polymers and can lead to premature failure of plastic components. Common environmental agents include detergents, oils, and organic solvents.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "cracking"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 2313. 'Definitions of terms relating to degradation, aging, and related chemical transformations of polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2318 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122313)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/environmental-stress-cracking/"
}