Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

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Micrograph 589 and full record

Link to image file for micrograph 589
Micrograph no
589
Brief description
Remnants of crazes on a polystyrene fracture surface
Keywords
brittle Link to MATTER Glossary entry for brittle, craze Link to MATTER Glossary entry for craze, craze remnants, fracture Link to MATTER Glossary entry for fracture, polymer Link to MATTER Glossary entry for polymer, polystyrene (PS)
Categories
Fracture, Polymer
System
Polystyrene (PS)
Composition
Not specified
Standard codes
Reaction
Processing
Applications
Polystyrene is hard and inexpensive and its use is very widespread. CD cases and clear plastic cups are common examples. Domestic appliance casings are also typically made from PS
Sample preparation
The surface has been sputter-coated with gold, to give a conducting surface
Technique
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Length bar
8 μm
Further information
The fracture surfaces are generally very sharp and angular, indicating fast, brittle fracture with little ductile tearing. The flat region with a fine fibrous surface is the remnant of a craze which has formed ahead of the crack, and then failed, leaving a flat region.
Contributor
J A Curran
Organisation
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
Date
03/10/02
Licence for re-use
Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales
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