A study of frequency and temperature effects on fatigue crack growth resistance of CPVC

Excellent corrosion resistance of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) makes it an attractive material for piping systems carrying corrosive materials. The relatively high glass transition temperature of CPVC has increased its use in hot water distribution. Establishing a relationship that describes the effect of test frequency on fatigue crack propagation (FCP) rate of polymers is an interesting challenge. FCP rates can decrease increase or remain constant with increasing test frequency. Moreover, FCP sensitivity to frequency of some polymers is known to be dependent on test temperature. In this study, fatigue crack propagation in a commercial grade chlorinated vinyl chloride (CPVC) over the frequency and temperature ranges of 0.1–10 Hz and −10 °C to 70 °C, respectively, was investigated. FCP tests were conducted on single edge notch (SEN) specimens prepared from 100-mm injection molded CPVC pipefittings. The crack growth rate (da/dN) was correlated with the stress intensity range ΔK. The FCP rate was found to be insensitive to frequency at sub room temperatures. The fatigue crack propagation resistance of CPVC was enhanced with increasing cyclic frequency at 50 and 70 °C. Frequency effect on FCP rate was found to be higher in the low frequency range. fractographic analysis of fracture surface showed that stepwise crack propagation existed at 0.1 and 1 Hz for all temperatures of interest.