Title: Quality control (dynamic) testing installation for evaluating the long (50 years) service life of plastic components

Authors: C.C . Lawrence

Addresses: Manufacturing Studies Department, North East London Polytechnic, Longbridge Road, Dagenham, Essex, England, UK

Abstract: This paper describes an apparatus that has been developed to translate fundamental test data into a quality control (Q.C.) procedure for the acceptance and overall assessment of commercial grades of plastic pipe. The basic test consists of applying a fatigue load by internal pressurisation to a notched sample immersed in water at an elevated temperature in a factory environment. The importance of the test is the early (24 hours typically) release of a production batch, but with an assurance of its long (50 years) life performance. The system was designed so that the preparation of test samples was quite elementary and setting of the test was confined to direct conversation with a computer terminal. The control and monitoring was integral with the microprocessor, but a manual alternative was also available.

Keywords: service life evaluation; long service life; plastic components; quality control; dynamic testing; plastic piping; fatigue loading.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1988.036709

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1988 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.276 - 284

Published online: 06 Nov 2010 *

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