Abstract
A SYSTEMATIC study of the creep properties of polymers possessing known anisotropy does not seem to have been attempted, probably because of the experimental difficulties involved. The few results reported are usually measurements of the creep extension in the direction of the applied tensile stress, made by following the separation of the specimen grips. End effects make this an unsatisfactory arrangement, especially when small samples are used. We have therefore developed an apparatus for measurement of the creep strain of specimens having a gauge length of as little as 0.5 in. The extensometer uses a linear displacement differential capacitor transducer, with a sensitivity better than 10−5 in., in a counter-balanced arrangement to reduce specimen loading to a minimum. The transducer sensitivity is equivalent to a strain of 2 × 10−5 for a gauge length of 0.5 in. The creep load is applied to the specimens using a lever loading system based on a well-proved design1. The results reported are for creep in the time range 5–100 s after application of the load. Other tests have shown that the transducer and control unit are stable, within the limit of sensitivity, for a period of at least 5 months.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dunn, C. M. R., Mills, W. H., and Turner, S., British Plastics, 37 (July 1964).
Raumann, G., and Saunders, D. W., Proc. Phys. Soc., 77, 1028 (1961).
Turner, S., Trans. and J. Plastics Inst., 31, 60 (1963).
Hearmon, R. F. S., An Introduction to Applied Anisotropic Elasticity (Oxford University Press, 1961).
Keller, A., and Rider, J. G., J. Materials Sci., 1, 389 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SAUNDERS, D., DARLINGTON, M. Creep of Highly Anisotropic, Low-density Polyethylene. Nature 218, 561–562 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218561a0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218561a0
This article is cited by
-
Stress relaxation in hot-drawn low density polyethylene
Journal of Materials Science (1979)
-
Mechanical and structural studies of low density polyethylene
Journal of Materials Science (1971)
-
Mechanical and structural studies of low density polyethylene
Journal of Materials Science (1971)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.