What is Environmental stress cracking resistance Testing?
The ability of a polymer to withstand slow crack growth and environmental stress cracking is known as ESCR. Different polymers have different ESCR Levels. Some polymers such a polypropylene are not susceptible to slow crack growth
Environmental stress cracking resistance is a phenomenon that occurs when a material is exposed to a combination of stress and certain environmental factors such as chemicals, temperature, and humidity, the result is cracking or fracturing of the materials.
ESCR testing is a critical tool in evaluating the ability of a material to resist this type of failure.
Why ESCR testing is important.
The pharmaceutical industry uses a variety of plastic materials like HDPE containers. These materials must withstand exposure to various chemical and sterilization methods without cracking or degrading. ESCR testing is used to evaluate the resistance of these materials to the harsh conditions they may be exposed to during their use.
This testing results from the polymer behavior of alcohols, soap, surfactants, or another wetting agent.
The testing procedure of ESCR
Regent
10% teepol solution
Procedure
- Take 6 containers and suitable neck-size containers for conducting the test
- Take a stainless steel tray
- Prepare 10% teepol solution in water
- Take 1000ml teepol in a tray makeup with water at 10000 ml. or if applicable
- Fill the containers with at least half its fill volume with teepol solution
- Fit the containers and invert the caped containers in a tray in which containers teepol solution
- Place the tray in an oven maintained at 600c for 48 hours.
- After 48 hours, observed the sample
- There should not be any crack/deformation of the container on completion of 48 hours
if more information about HDPE container testing procedure
I am Maneesh Maurya a professional pharmaceutical blogger from India having rich experience in the pharmaceutical Quality control field.
[…] The environment stress crack resistance testing is first Taken 10% solution of containing teepol in SS tray in 6 HDPE Containers fill 3rd part teepol. In a hot air oven for 48 hours at 600c temperature. […]