| |
Polymer Tubing Failure: Root Cause Analysis |
[back] |
| |
|
|
| |
The Problem: A supplier of polyethylene tubing for household appliance use reported an unexpected failure in the tubing, one not seen before. The failure surprised the supplier because this product had performed without failure from the time of its introduction. The supplier needed to know the cause of the failure, if this was the start of a trend that would put there business in jeopardy. |
|
| |
The Methods: A thorough failure analysis approach was outlined and conducted by TechDirect for the client. This protocol included a check on the material chemistry, the behavior of the tube material under thermal stress, the rheological properties of the polymer compound, and analysis of the failure zone. Comparison of these properties to a control tube was made to see if anything had changed. |
|
| |
The Solution: By comparing the failed tube with a control, we learned that the plastic tubes were made from different starting materials. The failed tube was made of a material that, while compositionally similar, was different enough to account for the fact that the complaint tube was more brittle. The change in material correlated with the increase in brittleness and the material’s tendency to be less resistant to heat and mechanical stress. The client was informed that his failed product was made from a material which was not identical to that historically used, and that they should be vigilant about the sourcing. |
|
| |
For further information on ICI TechDirect's rheology services so that you can create your own success story, click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
For further information, contact C. Michael Neag:
Voice: 440-826-5318
~ Fax: 440-826-5233
Strongsville Research Center (SRC)
16651 Sprague Road
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
|
|
